ATHLETES from the Great Yarmouth and District Athletic Club have been busy competing in their biggest competitions of the season.

At Birmingham athletes competed in the inter-counties cross-country championships, representing their counties, having run in two trial races to gain selection.

With large fields of over 300 athletes and the best from each county running, a position in the top 100 is an excellent place.

In the U15 boys’ race Dominic Oliver was 65th, Kyle Ella 72nd and Keelan Pywell 206th.

In the U13 girls’ Amy Dowsett was 114th, Victoria Simmons 121st, Phoebe Baker 282nd and in the U17 girls Polly Davies was 182nd and Tamzin Desborough 260th.

Last weekend several were in action again having been selected to run for the county in the England Schools championships at Nottingham.

In the inter-girls’ race Catherine Lee was 96th and Kelly Pywell 146th; in the inter-boys’ race Kyle Ella came 120th, Dominic Oliver 129th, Keelan Pywell 242nd and Daniel Gomes 299th.

In the senior girls’ race Polly Davies finished 172nd.

The cross-country runners have had a really good season with the club’s biggest representation at the major events for some time.

Several will have gained valuable experience from these events and will look forward to doing even better next season.

SIX GYDAC athletes represented Norfolk in the Aviva Regional Sportshall Championships.

In the U13s were Amy Dowsett, Phoebe Baker, Rhiannon Clarke and Emily Anderson, in the U15s Mark Phillipson and Louisa Marshall.

Three of the four Norfolk teams won and qualified for the UK final.

All athletes delivered some strong performances which contributed to the overall team results.

All four U13 girls now go forward to the national final at Birmingham NEC on April 3 along with U15 Louisa Marshall.

Individual medals were presented by Jean Pickering. Amy Dowsett won silver for the U13 girls in the six-lap race and gold in the eight-lap paarlauf with partner Phoebe Baker.

In the U15 boys Mark Phillipson won bronze in the long jump and two-lap race.

GREAT YARMOUTH ROAD RUNNERS: Three members took the trip to Thetford on Sunday for the Mud and Mayhem 10k.

Front man Sean Jermy missed a turn on the run and did a bit extra for luck but still made it home in 32 minutes.

Dave Girling, running through injury, tripped over a tree root and almost fell in the river, such was his need to find mud.

Andy Peck, also struggling with injury, laughed so much that he fell up some steps. Mayhem indeed, but fun had by all.

This week saw the 100th Parkrun held on Gorleston seafront.

After good PR work by the race organisers, who wanted 100 runners to attend, 156 runners took to the course with some in fancy dress.

This free weekly 5k race is held each and every Saturday morning at 9am with all welcome but runners need to register by visiting www.parkrun.org.uk

There was a big ‘well done’ to all the marshals and race organiser Chris Harbord for what is an excellent event.

Results: 3 Matthew Sutton 18.36 (park run pb), 13 Stephen Leeves 20:44 (park run pb), 28 Peter Matthews 22:26, 48 Lorrain Dawson 24:46, 59 Pauline Richardson 25:47, 66 Andy Baker 26:24, 73 Peter Spandler 26;55,97 Bob Arnell 29:54, 102 Jim Spong 30:20, 136 Peter Harrison 39:19, 148 Kenneth Overy 46:45, 150 Dave Girling 51:09.

PETERHOUSE PRIMARY SCHOOL had some very excited Year 3 pupils take part in the local schools’ cross-country competition. This was held at Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston.

Many local schools took part and the competition was strong. Despite this, and the fact it was a long and tiring course, Peterhouse pupils ran very well and all completed respectable finishes.

Alicia, one of the pupils in Year 3 was ‘The Manager’ and encouraged the team to warm up and warm down. What a star!

All the children were very positive and enthusiastic and many thanks to the members of staff who took them to the venue.