TWENTYONE North Norfolk Beach Runners joined a strong field of nearly 300 from all over East Anglia for the second race in the Wroxham 5k Series.Two members of the Cromer club were placed first in their categories.

TWENTYONE North Norfolk Beach Runners joined a strong field of nearly 300 from all over East Anglia for the second race in the Wroxham 5k Series.

Two members of the Cromer club were placed first in their categories. Dena Parfitt, returning from injuring herself at the London marathon, clocked 19:17 to be 41st overall whilst Brenda Kinch continued her trophy-winning form to take First Prize in her age group once again.

For once the in-form Paul Muffett failed to take first Over 50. Despite a brilliant 15th place in 17:44, he was narrowly beaten to the line by CONAC's Robert Cheverton.

In the 55-59 age group Richard Blake ran a fantastic time of 18:41 but he too had to settle for second place, losing out by just three seconds.

Chris Merrylees looked to be right back to his best form, flying round the 5k course in just 17:21 to take 11th place and John Christopher produced one of his best runs for some time to cross the line in 18:17, 25th overall.

Two Beach Runners returning from injury lay-offs got round unscathed. Quinton Brown's 53rd place in 19:41 looked promising while Maurice Page showed that he too is on the way back.

Next home were the Wade brothers, Jamie and Chris, separated by just six seconds, but both could be well satisfied by beating their father, Ian, by around two minutes.

Other Beach Runner men completing the rural course were Trevor Emery, Geoff Hayward and Fish Sadler whilethe ladies were very well represented by Emma Dennis, Shelley Burton, Natasha Nurse, Virginia Borrman, Christina Walker, Nikki Kavanagh and Lesley Hennessey.

The weekend saw some of the club's more senior members grabbing the limelight at Great Yarmouth's Humpty Dumpty 10k at Reedham.

Despite the hot and sultry conditions, Jim Hayes ran an excellent time of 41:29 to finish first Over 60 with Terry Quigley second in the same category with a steady 43:24.

Alec Fraser was also amongst the prizes, getting round the course in a splendid 50:32 to finish 117th overall but first Over 65 whilst Michael O'Connor narrowly missed out on a top 100 finish with 101st place.

With Mike Marshall and Katrine Middleton also completing the race, 27 Beach Runners had taken to the Norfolk Roads in just five days, showing the amazing strength of the thriving running club.