spring was a long way from the thoughts of the squad of Great Yarmouth Road Runners who were at Reedham on Sunday for the inaugural staging of the Reedham 10.

spring was a long way from the thoughts of the squad of Great Yarmouth Road Runners who were at Reedham on Sunday for the inaugural staging of the Reedham 10.

What was lacking in balmy, spring-like weather was more than made up for by a well-marshalled and expertly managed race put on by Pat Brightman and her team from the Great Yarmouth and District Athletic Club.

Leading the way home in his first race for the club this year was Phil Quantrill, with an impressive clocking in the cold and wintry conditions with the occasional snow flurry. Also making light of the conditions were Paul Brookshaw (with another personal best), Stephen Etherington (pleased with this time on his return), and John Bone, first in his age category.

A single second then separated Antony Croucher and David Lawlor, with John O'Leary, Paul Anderson and Paul Westgate all comfortably under the 80 minute mark.

Carole Spong was first home for the ladies, and Marie Worrall made a fist of it finishing just eight seconds behind, while newcomer Laura Hughes registered a pb and was followed home by her training partner Ann O'Leary, with another newcomer Ivan Lees also gaining a pb, and stalwarts Rod Shulver, Denise Etherington (another pb) and Jim Spong making up a very impressive contingent, the majority of whom were more than pleased with their performance.

Jim Spong was particularly happy to establish a new club record for his age group over the distance.

In addition to 17 runners, GYRR also provided three of the marshals: Karen and Andrew Manning and Derek Ribbands - a nice example of collaboration between the two local clubs.

On Wednesday last at Wattisham in the East Anglian Cross Country League, Richard Blake, Steve Houghton, John Bone and Paul Westgate flew the flag, ensuring that valuable points were not lost.

At Biggleswade, Mike Spragg ran in the South of England Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships, drawing runners from as far afield as Cornwall, Hampshire and Kent to an excellent parkland course. The national championships in Ruthin, North Wales, in March now beckons.

Reedham Ten Miles: 1 Phil Quantrill 63:41, 2 Paul Brookshaw 66:45 (pb), 3 Stephen Etherington 70:19, 4 John Bone 73:09 (1st

over 60), 5 Antony Croucher 76:11, 6 David Lawlor 76:12 (pb), 7 John O'Leary 76:45, 8

Pal Anderson 78:33, 9 Paul Westgate 79:01, 10 Carole Spong 86:07, 11 Marie Worrall 86:15, 12 Laura Hughes 89:06 (pb), 13 Ann O'Leary 97:42, 14 Ivan Lees 103:00 (pb), 15 Rod Shuler 106:30, 16 Denise Etherington 108:23 (pb), 17 Jim Spong 126:56 (new club record).

EACCL Race 6, Wattisham Airfield: 15 Richard Blake 186 pts, 24 Stephen Houghton 177, 37 John Bone 164, 43 Paul Westgate 158. Total Team A 685.

SEAA Masters Cross-Country 10k, Biggleswade: Mike Spragg 43:06.