The Reedham Ten finally took place at the second attempt on Sunday after it was postponed two weeks previously due to freezing conditions.
The event, which is organised by Pat Brightman and Great Yarmouth & District AC, was run in almost ideal weather conditions, albeit slightly windy for this 10-mile undulating road race.
The course goes around the villages of Reedham, Limpenhoe, Freethorpe & Wickhampton before returning to its original home of Reedham Village Hall.
It’s been 11 years since the race, which started in 2009, was at this venue and it was good to be back there.
The race, the first in the 2023 Sportlink Grand Prix Series, sold out in early December but only 498 runners finished.
The race and Norfolk County champion in a Reedham course record was won by Michael Eccles (Bure Valley Harriers) in a time of 52:45, second was Alan Darby (Ely Runners) in 53:22 and third Kyle Brooks (Norfolk Gazelles) in 55:43.
The women’s race and Norfolk County champion was won by Eleanor Grubb in a time of 1:02:15, followed by Harriet Carr (Wymondham AC) in second in 1:03:35 and third place went to Louise McDonnell (Wymondham AC) in 1:06:37.
Race and County team prizes went to: Ladies Senior - Norwich Road Runners; Ladies Masters - Wymondham AC; Men’s Senior - Wymondham AC and Men’s Masters - Bure Valley Harriers.
The event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of various Norfolk clubs providing marshals, in particular Lingwood Leg Its, who rallied round and provided 12 to save the day. One marshal, Kay Litchfield at mile seven seemed to have made a distinct impression.
The next Sportlink Grand Prix race is on Sunday – the Valentines 10k organised by Norfolk Gazelles at Easton College. GYDAC’s next race – event nine in the Sportlink Grand Prix Series and Norfolk County 10K, is the Humpty Dumpty 10K on Sunday, July 2. Entries are open at Total Race Timing.
