Runners brave the freeze

Despite the big freeze and the cancellation of Wymondham's New Year's Day 10k, North Norfolk Beach Runners have been out in force to defy the icy weather.

Despite the big freeze and the cancellation of Wymondham's New Year's Day 10k, North Norfolk Beach Runners have been out in force to defy the icy weather.

At Sunday's Horsford cross-country Clare Donovan triumphed for the fifth race in a row. Last time out Clare set a course record at Horsford and she was equally dominant this time, romping home for the senior ladies' first prize by several minutes.

Shelley Burton also ran a good race, finishing as ninth senior lady in 40:05, whilst for the men, Rob Kett could not quite repeat his pre-Christmas victory but still ran well on the shortened course to finish second in 33:52.

The next Beach Runner home was John Christopher, whose excellent 37:16 was good enough to take first place in the 45/49 age group, and Malcolm Ball was also in good form finishing first in the over-70 section.

Other members of the Cromer Club braving the icy conditions in the Horsford woods were Jeremy Bolam, Ryan Callaby and Ian Wade.

Meanwhile, Vinnie Purdy and Colin Stark added to their growing list of completed marathons with a new year run-out at the Stanstead Stagger. They both finished in a highly creditable time of 3hr 54min.