Thetford Athletics Club’s senior ruuners took to the road recently in the City of Norwich Half Marathon, with several new members donning the red and white strip for the first time.

There were a number of high order finishes amongst the athletes across the various age categories. Natalie King finished 20th in the F40 category with a time of 1:57.18 whist a time of 1:45.14 saw Richard Dolman finish in 21st position within the M50 race.

There was a 22nd spot for Richard Crewe in the M45 category with a time of 1:42.30 whilst Jason Elrick crossed the finish line in 24th place amongst the athletes in the same age category, less than a second behind Crewe.

Senior woman Tracey Cady finished in 29th place with a time of 1:51.08 while Craig Goldie, another in a string of Thetford athletes representing the M45 category, came home in 32nd place with a time of 1:45.24.

Senior male Lukasz Ryzinski finished in 220th position, recording a time of 1:50.10, whilst Kayleigh Bailey finished in 260th place in the senior women’s race with a time of 2:19.18.

Warm sunshine on the day of the race made it a test for all the competitors. Piers Arnold of City of Norwich AC won in a time of 1:12:32 which gave him a clear advantage over clubmate Ash Harrell (1:14:13) and Paul Halford of Werrington Joggers (1:14:57).

First women’s runner home was Emma Risbey, who lives and works in Cromer, although she wears the colours of Winchester & District AC – she finished in 1:27:06,

Elsewhere, the Ryston Runners Grand Prix Cross Country League came to its conclusion after six races spread out through the winter season.

Thetford were well represented amongst the medallists, with three golds issued to its athletes. Kevin Vaughan won the V50 category, with Sabine Schaefer first in the V35 category and Tina Plumley was victorious in the V45 category.

There was a silver medal for Cliff Bailey in the V55 category whilst amongst the junior athletes Abigail Clouston achieved bronze in the U13 girls category with James Peck gaining the same award in the U13 boys event.

Thetford Athletics Club also finished third place in the Visiting Clubs’ Award behind eventual winners Dereham Runners and second placed City of Norwich AC.