Runner in fine form

Despite the cold winter conditions, the hardier members of the Beach Runners have been putting in some impressive performances.At the Horsford January cross-country meeting Paul Muffett (pictured) produced an astonishing run to win his age group by more than 10 minutes with a time of 44:17.

Despite the cold winter conditions, the hardier members of the Beach Runners have been putting in some impressive performances.

At the Horsford January cross-country meeting Paul Muffett (pictured) produced an astonishing run to win his age group by more than 10 minutes with a time of 44:17.

Just five seconds behind was the Beach Runners' rising duathlon star, Will Dorsett, who took fourth place in the Senior Men's section with Darren Neale just one place back.

Ryan Callaby was a creditable 12th with Terry Quigley having a very steady run to take first place in the 60+ category. Meanwhile, the fast improving Claire Donovan ran a brilliant time of 36:06 to win the Senior Ladies' race.

Muffett was also in brilliant form at the Folksworth 15, romping round the flat course in a lightning fast 1-31:58 for 10th place overall and first 50+ in an entry of 300 runners.

Dena Parfitt was an excellent third in the ladies' race and Jim Hayes who was first Over 60 with a superb 1-47:03. Chris Parker finished 93rd in 1-48:57 just ahead of Clive Hedges who put a frustrating couple of years of illness and injury behind him with a sound comeback performance for 116th place.

Meanwhile, Brenda Kinch went to the Watford Half Marathon and gained a pb of

1-49:30.

Jeremy Bolam was second Over 50 at the Houghton Hall cross-country meeting.