After seven years of blistering hot weather being the order of the day for the Humpty Dumpty 10K, the luck just had to run out.

At 9.30 on Sunday, the heavens opened at Freethorpe and it continued to rain for a further three hours.

For the start at 10.30 it was torrential, but 394 runners took part in this annual event organised by Great Yarmouth and District Athletic Club and sponsored by local brewery Humpty Dumpty, who supplied all finishers with a goody bag including a Humpty Dumpty medal and bottle opener as a souvenir.

The race is a circular route on quiet country roads through Limpenhoe, Reedham before returning to Freethorpe and has been quoted as one of the friendliest races on the Norfolk circuit.

This year the race also hosted the Norfolk County 10K Championships.

The Men’s race and Norfolk County Champion was won by Stu Huntington from City of Norwich AC in a time of 33:17 and he received a winner’s cheque for £100. He was closely followed by Tom Fairbrother from Ipswich Jaffa who recorded 33:29 and collected £75 for his efforts.In third place and silver winner from Ryston Runners was James O’Neill in a time of 33:45, receiving a cheque for £50.

The Ladies race was won by Sara Bird of Woodford Green and Essex Ladies in a record breaking time of 35:46, having knocked some two minutes off the previous record. Sara is ranked 58th in the UK.

Norfolk County Champion Lady was Alexandra Smith from Norwich Road Runners, who was second overall in a time of 40:19 with third place going to an unattached runner Julia Parsley. The ladies also received cheques for £100, £75 and £50 respectively.

Peter Downing once again completed the course in his wheelchair.

The Female Senior and Masters team prizewinners and Norfolk County Champions were Norwich Road Runners. The Mens Senior team winners and Norfolk County Champions were Ryston Runners whilst North Norfolk Beach Runners won the Masters Team prize

The brewery organised a childrens fun run and every child received a medal. All runners received a Pettitts Animal Adventure Park voucher. Thanks must be given to all the runners who participated, to all members, friends and family of GYDAC, to the Freethorpe First Responders and Freethorpe Scout Group who organised the water stations, and the Freethorpe Village Hall for the improved facilities provided. Transport was supplied by SimmonsEdeco and a huge thanks goes to BAM Nuttall for the supply of safety equipment and to Lesley George and her partners from the Humpty Dumpty Brewery for their continued sponsorship of this event.