NORTH Norfolk Beach Runners enjoyed a hugely successful weekend, with wins for the Cromer Club's runners on the road at the Broadlands half-marathon and in the woods at the Shouldham Warren cross-country.

NORTH Norfolk Beach Runners enjoyed a hugely successful weekend, with wins for the Cromer Club's runners on the road at the Broadlands half-marathon and in the woods at the Shouldham Warren cross-country.

At the Broadlands half, there were team prizes for the men and the ladies and individual trophies for Richard Blake and Christina Walker. Phil Quantrill's remarkable time of 1-21.50 for seventh place overall helped the men's team of Colin Stark, Matt Dickens and Phil himself to first place in the Senior Men's prize list and for Colin and Matt it was great preparation for the London Marathon to come.

Richard Blake turned in yet another age-defying performance to clock 1-29.27 for 34th place and first in the Over 60, whilst John Christopher missed out on the prizes but still had a superb run to beat Colin Stark to the line and take 17th place in 1-25.27.

For the ladies, Christina Walker ran a personal best of 1-44.23 for first place in the 35-39 age group and helped the Ladies' Veteran team of Christina, Alison Swanson and Katrine Middleton to first prize.

Dave Spooner just missed out on the top 100 but still ran an excellent 1-44.07, whilst the steady running of Tony Heath and Michael O'Connor also comfortably broke the two-hour barrier.

Five other Beach Runners completed a strong turnout for the club on a lovely Sunday morning in the Broads. The men Keith Dickens, Alec Fraser and Mike Marshall all went well, and the ladies Anna Latta and Virginia Borrman also enjoyed the event.

Meanwhile at the final race of the Ryston Runners Cross-Country Series, Clare Donovan once again romped round the woods at Shouldham Warren to comfortably take the ladies' first prize to remain unbeaten so far this year and complete perhaps the best cross-country season ever for a Beach Runner. Completing the line-up for the Cromer Club were Ian Wade and his son Jamie, who have both been regular competitors on the cross-country circuit this winter. Both Wades again acquitted themselves extremely well.