THE Coltishall Jaguars' Autumn 10k race at Frettenham was originally scheduled for October 5 but was postponed because of the heavy rain over that weekend.

THE Coltishall Jaguars' Autumn 10k race at Frettenham was originally scheduled for October 5 but was postponed because of the heavy rain over that weekend.

It was re-scheduled for last Sunday and attracted a field of 133 runners, a little below that which you might expect for a county championship event but a quality field nonetheless, including four of the Great Yarmouth Road Runners.

Leading the way home as he so often does was Richard Blake in a mightily respectable time and challenging right down to the wire, as is his normal practice.

Second in his age category, he was fully deserving of his county silver medal. County silver too for John Bone, second in his age division and training and racing well at the moment.

Making up an impressive quartet were Paul Anderson and Rod Shulver, both running comfortably in the generally benign conditions.

Like others in the club they now have their sights set on the two remaining major road races in the region this year, the Norwich Half Marathon and the Lowestoft Turkey Trot Ten-miler - both of them exciting events in their own right.

Over the country there is even more on offer at this time of the year.

Four of the Road Runners were at Shouldham Warren for the second race in the Ryston Runners series, Richard Blake showing his versatility by being first home here also, followed by newcomer Stephen Haughton, Mike Spragg and Neil Coleman.

Both Blake and Spragg won their age divisions here.

Spragg was at it again last Sunday, this time at Ditchingham for the third race in the very popular Suffolk League, over a pleasant four-lap course.

The next race in this series is at Woodbridge on December 7 - but before that there is this weekend's first race in the Norwich series at Horsford and the third race in the East Anglian League on December 3 at Whitlingham Broad.

Two races a week is probably more than enough for most people, and not to be recommended for many. Not Chris Harbord, however, who managed two events on consecutive days when visiting the Lake District at the beginning of the month.

The 15k Helvellyn Trail on the Saturday was followed by the 12.5k Ullswater Trail on the Sunday. Details have been lost in the mists of the Cumbrian Fells.

Coltishall Jaguars Autumn 10k, Sunday, November 16

Great Yarmouth Road Runners Finishing Positions and Times: 13 Richard Blake 37:57 (second O50 county silver); 50 John Bone 43:38 (second O60 county silver); 95 Paul Anderson 49:15; Rod Shulver 61:17.

Suffolk Cross Country League Race 3, 8k, Ditchinghamm November 16

Results: Mike Spragg 34:01.

Ryston Runners Cross Country League, Race 2, 9k, Shouldham, November 9

Results: 1 Richard Blake (first O55), 2 Stephen Haughton, 3 Mike Spragg (first O60), 4 Neil Coleman.

Mike Spragg