North Norfolk Beach RunnersA NEW event in the running calendar always creates interest and so Sunday's Marriot Way 10k achieved a full entry for its inaugural running.

North Norfolk Beach Runners

A NEW event in the running calendar always creates interest and so Sunday's Marriot Way 10k achieved a full entry for its inaugural running. And with the field of 100 thoroughly enjoying the run along the old railway line from Aylsham to Reepham, the superbly organised race should become a regular autumn fixture.

The race was won by North Walsham police officer Steve Jones, who romped home in 36:44, nearly three minutes ahead of Norwich's Kevin Lemmon.

North Norfolk Beach Runner Jones had run a remarkable three races inside a week. After taking the county championship gold at Coltishall, he entered the midweek police cross-country championships at Thetford, finishing second in a personal best time.

Another Beach Runner in the prizes was Andi Osborne who picked up first prize in her age group whilst the fast-improving Quinton Brown made light work of the persistent headwind to clock 41:11 for a top six finish.

Jeremy Bolam and Ian Jarvis also enjoyed good runs.

Malcolm Ball picked up an excellent silver medal at the British masters athletics championships 10 mile race held at Portland near Weymouth. He described the course as one of the toughest he had ever run with most of the first four miles being uphill, but he still got home in a highly creditable 1-26:00.

Another of the Beach Runners' super vets, Maurice Copeland, astonished Spanish race organisers by completing a seven-mile seafront race in Majorca at the age of 80. They had never had a runner that old in their event.

Rob and Karen Emery were making their second appearance at an American race this year, in the Chicago marathon on a bitterly cold autumn morning.

Karen was delighted to complete her first marathon but Rob was disappointed with his time of 3-57, several minutes adrift of his best, set in San Francisco in the summer.