ELEVEN members of the North Norfolk Beach Runners made the start of the Wymondham 10k race New Year's Day.Despite suffering from a heavy cold, the first Beach Runner home was Quinton Brown.

ELEVEN members of the North Norfolk Beach Runners made the start of the Wymondham 10k race New Year's Day.

Despite suffering from a heavy cold, the first Beach Runner home was Quinton Brown.

So rapid has been the improvement in Quinton's running that he expressed disappointment in a time of 39:30 - a year ago he would have been thrilled to break 40 minutes!

Just 10 seconds behind was the club's half-marathon star, Dena Parfitt, working on her build-up to the London Marathon with a steady 34th place.

Jim Hayes again took first place in the 60-plus age group with a useful time of 41:54 for 58th place. Jim is currently unchallenged amongst Norfolk's over-60s but will soon have to look over his shoulder at a couple of very quick 59-year-olds soon to join him.

The ever-present Ian Jarvis shook off the Christmas cobwebs with another sound run for 128th place in 46:26, with Geoff Hayward exactly a minute adrift. Tony Heath and Brenda Kinch both managed to get inside 50 minutes and for Brenda it was a personal best by a full minute, a great way to start 2009.

Other Beach Runners braving the bitter chill were Rob Saines, Michael O'Connor, club chair Andi Osborne and the evergreen Maurice Copeland.

After the race, presentations were made for the 2008 Runners Centre Grand Prix.

For the second year in a row, Jim Hayes picked up first prize amongst the over-60s and Dena Parfitt was the quickest lady marathon runner in the county by some considerable distance.

Three Beach Runners, Ian Jarvis, Jeremy Bolam and Geoff Hayward, picked up third prizes in their age groups for their efforts throughout the season.