WHILE Norfolk residents were splashing around in wellies at the weekend, three members of the Great Yarmouth and District Athletics Club were basking in the sunshine of Newcastle, taking part in the 22nd Great North Run, the annual Newcastle to South Shields half-marathon.

WHILE Norfolk residents were splashing around in wellies at the weekend, three members of the Great Yarmouth and District Athletics Club were basking in the sunshine of Newcastle, taking part in the 22nd Great North Run, the annual Newcastle to South Shields half-marathon.

Loyal members of the Great Run series - Pat Brightman, who this year entered in her famous Minnie Mouse outfit - took part for the 15th time.

Elaine Haggarty is not far behind with 12 runs, while Chris Gay is catching up with eight Great Norths.

It was a superb day, ideal conditions for all the runners, a little cool while waiting for the start at 10.40am, but once the masses commenced the sun began to shine and continued until they all reached South Shields.

Once again, the Red Arrows provided a spectacular show when competitors were running along the seafront at the end of their 13.1 mile run. Everyone was pleased with their times.

Having suffered injuries last year Chris finished in a creditable time of 1-49:16. Elaine, having just returned from holiday, cracked the time barrier with 2-29:34 and Pat bettered her recent Wissey race with 2-53:23, 30 seconds adrift of last year.

Other members of GYDAC - of which only 18 are road runners, now have a busy schedule of races coming with the Griffon 5k onSunday, North Norfolk 7k on October 19 and the Great Yarmouth 10k on October 26.