Road Runner Sutton passes his ultimate test

Ian and Cathy Tooley (Image: Archant)

Matthew Sutton described the the Country to Capital 45-mile ultra race as the hardest he had ever done.

The route took in some stunning countryside starting in Wendover in Buckinghamshire, through the Chilterns and picking up the Grand Union Canal tow path with a finish at Little Venice in London.

The first half was a mudfest, ankle deep and not conducive to running. The last 20 miles were tough, into a cold headwind with very tired legs. Despite the terrain and conditions, Matthew finished in just over eight hours.

Matthew followed up his ultra race with the second of the three races of the Fritton Cross Country Sprint Duathlons. This 3km run, 10km cycle, 1.5km run was postponed from the previous week due to the snow and freezing conditions but on Sunday, three members of GYRR took part in this muddy challenge on a bright sunny and relatively warm morning. For Cathy Tooley and Matthew Sutton this would be their second race with Cathy Tooley’s husband Ian making his first appearance.

The course was icy and muddy making the cycling part of the duathlon very tough but according to Matthew still “great fun”. In 17th place, Matthew Sutton led the GYRR team in, with Ian coming 31st and Cathy in 36th place (7th female finisher).

Yarmouth Road Runners celebrated a successful 2012 and their 25th year with their AGM and awards evening at the Furzedown Hotel.

Chairman Jeff Helmore received the runner of the year award for all his work for the club, especially his contributions to the success of the Great Yarmouth Marathon in October.

Female Runner of the Year: Lorrain Dawson. Male Runner of the Year: Neil Sibley. Ladies Half Marathon Champion: Nicola Baker. Men’s Half Marathon Champion: John Bone. Personal Best Trophy: Tamsin Desborough. Yuletide Doubles Winners: Andy Peck & Andrew Baker. Ladies Senior 10k Champion: Tamsin Desborough. Ladies Senior 10k 2nd place: Sylvia Dady. Ladies Vets 10k Champion: Karen Manning. Ladies Vets 10k 2nd place: Nicola Baker. Ladies Vets 10k 3rd place: Lorrain Dawson. Men’s Senior 10k Champion: Mark Thompson. Men’s Senior 10k 2nd place: Sean Jermy. Men’s Senior 10k 3rd place: Matthew Sutton. Men’s Vets 10k Champion: Neil Sibley. Men’s Vets 10k 2nd place: Andrew Baker. Men’s Vet’s 10k 3rd place: Steve Dady. Most Improved Runners: Nicola Baker, Lisa Brown, Tamsin Desborough, Ivan Lees. Club Standards: Copper: Charles Wiegand, Mark Stone. Bronze: Nicola Baker, Rod Shulver, Toni George. Silver: Andrew Baker, Lorrain Dawson, Mark Thompson, Pauline Richardson. Gold: Steve Dady, John Bone. Diamond: Diane Crosby.

After many notable years on the club committee, Karen Manning handed the reins of vice-chairman over to men’s team captain, Neil Sibley with her additional role as Ladies Team Captain passing to Nicola Baker. As well as Neil and Nicola the rest of the committee were elected and consist of Jeff Helmore, chairman; Rod Shulver, treasurer; Ann O’Leary, secretary. Committee members: Andrew Baker, Michael Dale, Ivan Lees, Steven Leeves, Pauline Richardson, Paul Spandler, Peter Spandler, Carol Tennyson, Charles Weigand.