The great Ron Hill, still going strong at the age of 70, has one golden rule: get yourself to the start line and once there don't give up. Some 35,000 runners did just that in the London Marathon, and so too did a slightly disappointing 140-plus the Wednesday before in the first race in the Five Mile Series in Great Yarmouth.

The great Ron Hill, still going strong at the age of 70, has one golden rule: get yourself to the start line and once there don't give up.

Some 35,000 runners did just that in the London Marathon, and so too did a slightly disappointing 140-plus the Wednesday before in the first race in the Five Mile Series in Great Yarmouth.

Size and profile of the race notwithstanding, each individual had the same or similar objectives - enjoying the experience, making sure that they finished and, hopefully, registering a good time.

This last objective was certainly achieved by individual winners James Preston of City of Norwich and Tamara Jordan of Stowmarket Striders - the former more than 30 seconds ahead of second finisher Sam Godfrey of West Suffolk AC, with Carl Prewer of Lowestoft Road Runners close behind; and the latter 10th overall and with a sub-30 minute clocking, with second finisher Nicky Alford of City of Norwich nearly a minute and a half behind and Clare Donavan of North Norfolk Beach Runners a further minute back.

Age division winners were Elies Mann, Tessa Pike and Pauline Norman for the ladies; and Richard Moore, Kevin Youngs and Alan Holland for the men.

Norwich Road Runners cleaned up in both the Senior Male and the Female 35 age divisions, the Male 40 going to Waveney Valley AC.

With most club members marshalling or engaged in other activities, it was natural that only a small number of Great Yarmouth Road Runners would be taking part, but those that did acquitted themselves well. First of the four was Paul Brookshaw, running strongly throughout and third in his age category, with Shaun Mason hot on his heels and newcomer Sean Jermy not so far behind. Another newcomer, John Lingard, ran well in the relatively benign conditions - another thing to be hoped for in the upcoming races.

Chris Harbord finished eighth out of 12 in the tricky Hawkshead 15k race, involving quite a few metres of ascent. Chris enjoys the bracing fresh air and the camaraderie of events like these.

GYRR Five Mile Series, Race One: 22 Paul Brookshaw 31:28 (3rd over 40), 26 Shaun Mason 31:44, 31 Sean Jermy 32:35, 126 John Lingard 45:08.

Hawkshead 15k: Chris Harbord 2-59.