Luke Allen of City of Norwich AC and East Norfolk College is making quite a name for himself on the local road-running scene - as shown by his performance in last week's first race in the Great Yarmouth Road Runners Five-mile series.

Luke Allen of City of Norwich AC and East Norfolk College is making quite a name for himself on the local road-running scene - as shown by his performance in last week's first race in the Great Yarmouth Road Runners Five-mile series.

The race had a record field of 174 runners and running conditions which were conducive to fast times. Race director Rod Shulver and his team were more than pleased with the turnout.

For the first lap of the two-lap race incorporating the seawall, Allen found himself in the company of clubmate Steve Jones and Stuart Allen of Wymondham AC, these two clubs being strongly represented in the race. Once they began their journey back to the Marina Centre for the second time, however, the other two could not live with Allen and he went on to win by more than a minute.

After an early season win in the Lowestoft Scores race and other achievements throughout the winter, there is clearly much still to come from this young man, on the roads and track.

First home for the ladies was another City of Norwich runner, Emma Coombes, a minute and a half ahead of second finisher Molly James of West Norfolk AC, with Lynn Emmett of City of Norwich close behind in third.

Individual age group winners, apart from Allen and Coombes in their respective divisions, were Richard Moore, Robert Cheverton and Jim Hayes in the men's divisions; and Molly James, Caroline Taylor and Pauline Norman in the ladies' division. City of Norwich (senior males and senior females) and Waveney Valley AC (veteran males) picked up the team prizes.

Participation by local Road Runners was understandably limited due to marshalling and other responsibilities, but those who did take part did well. Phil Quantrill after his London disappointment, newcomer Shawn Mason beginning to make his mark, Paul Evans now recovered from his efforts in the Mumbai Marathon, Antony Croucher and Chris Harbord. They expect to be joined by a multitude of others for the next race in the series, on Wednesday, when a perhaps even larger field is expected for a race which is also part of the popular Runners' Centre Grand Prix Series. Entries on the night are welcome, with registration at the Marina Centre from 6pm onwards.

In Sunday's fourth running of the Chase the Train event from Aylsham to Wroxham, five Road Runners took part. Stephen and Denise Etherington, Paul and Kate Evans and Paul Brookshaw all enjoyed this race with a difference, so well staged by Terry Quigley and his team from the North Norfolk Beach Runners.

Results - Five Mile Series Race One: 1 Phil Quantrill 30:22, 2 Shawn Mason 31:00, 3 Antony Croucher 32:11, 4 Paul Evans 35:47, 5 Chris Harbord 57:41.

Chase the Train: 1 Stephen Etherington, 2 Paul Brookshaw, 3 Paul Evans, 4 Kate Evans, 5 Denise Etherington, 6 Mike Spragg.