Quigley sorts out runners

FOUR members of the North Norfolk Beach Runners joined competitors from all over Norfolk for Active Norfolk's Griffon Run at Memorial Park in North Walsham for a 5k run in brilliant autumn sunshine at the weekend.

Unfortunately for those looking for a fast time, the race dissolved into chaos as the entire field headed off into a cul-de-sac about a kilometre from the start. The lead runners turned round in confusion and soon around 100 runners were milling around in a state of general confusion.

Fortunately for the race, local Beach Runner Terry Quigley caught up with the lead group and used his local knowledge to lead everyone across a field, down a track and back onto the race route five minutes later.

After this unexpected diversion, fast times were impossible and race positions meant very little as some of the leading pack had stopped for a couple of minutes. Nevertheless, North Norfolk Beach Runners Jeremy Bolam, Jim Hayes, Terry Quigley and Ian Jarvis all enjoyed a run out in the clement conditions.

Meanwhile in Peterborough, three members of the Cromer Club suffered no such mishaps at the Great Eastern Half Marathon. John Christopher was first Beach Runner home despite feeling unwell for 154th place in a time of 1-28:15.

Andy Kett had an easy trot round the flat course in preparation for the tough Ballbuster Duathlon next month and finished in a dead heat with Ryan Callaby with a time of 1-37:29.

The previous weekend the Beach Runners long distance specialists Colin Stark, Lynton Battrick and Vinny Purdie travelled to the Suffolk coast for the Flower of Suffolk trail marathon.

In rain so heavy that the Coltishall 10k race had to be postponed until November, the three bravely took on the dreadful conditions and coped with heavy mud and a few unscheduled diversions to finish joint second in a highly respectable time of 4hr 44min.