Athletes from Thetford Athletics Club took to the fields of Suffolk as they competed in the first of this season’s Suffolk Winter Cross Country League fixtures in Framlingham.

The event stands as many of the athletes favourite fixture of the year, with the closing 400 metres of the course taking the athletes around the moat at Framlingham Castle.

The youngest athletes, aged 11 and below, were the first to complete their race, competing over an 800m course which involves the competitors hurdling a log as part of the race.

Thomas Smith was the first Thetford athlete to finish the race, completing the course in a time of 2.22mins for a highly creditable third place.

Cameron Try was the next Thetford athlete home in 10th position with a time of 2.38. Regan Statham ran 2.49 for 11th place followed closely by George White 10 seconds further back in 18th position.

Alicia-Mae Howard was the 15th girl to finish the 800m race in a time of 3.26 with Pippa-Rainbow Swan running 4.06 for 23rd place.

The U13s and U15s compete over a two-mile course with Joseph Smythe finishing the under-13 event in a superb second place with a time of 9.26mins.

Ben Garrod came ninth in 11.03 whilst Tyler Howard finished 16th in 11.58. Jessica Norkett dominated the girls race to win the U13s event in a time of 10.41min. Maddie Rolph finished in eighth spot with 11.52.

Rosie Corke was the sole U15 girl completing the course in 12.20 for 16th position. Aiden Try led the U15 boys with a fifth-place finish in a time of 9.02mins.

Tom Mead finished in eighth position in 9.43 with Kian Statham one place further back in 9.50. Kieran Moody finished in 10th place in a time of 10.01.

The senior athletes compete over an even tougher five-mile course which takes the castle moat in twice as they complete two laps of the circuit.

Senior male Karl Wright finished 38th with a time of 34.02min. Louise White triumphed in the Senior Ladies race with a first place finish in a time of 34.12.

Tony Tyler finished the V50 males category in a time of 36.38 for 17th place whilst Carl Higgins completed the course in 31st place with a time of 41.15mins. Tony Cantle was the sole V55 male, completing the course in 34.38 for fifth place.

Sharon Try