WITH the London Marathon on Sunday and spring marathons in many other European capitals, local runners have emerged after winter training period to show just what kind of shape they are in.

WITH the London Marathon on Sunday and spring marathons in many other European capitals, local runners have emerged after winter training period to show just what kind of shape they are in.

Four Great Yarmouth Road Runners were at two different locations.

Three were close to home at the Bungay marathon.

First clubman home, as on so many other occasions, was Richard Blake, with a most respectable time which placed him 12th overall and showed a level of consistency over the years which few can match.

John Bone was next, coming off a good season of cross country and showing his experience and expertise over the classic distance.

Making up a strong contingent was Paul Brookshaw, in his maiden outing and more than pleased with what will no doubt be the first of many attempts at the 26.2 mile distance. The hail, sleet and lots of snow giving slushy conditions underfoot did little to deter this intrepid trio.

Finding conditions a little more to his liking was Stephen Etherington at the Paris Marathon, where he achieved a personal best in conditions which were cold but dry.

Attention now switches to Sunday's big event where, among the many fun runners and charity runners, are two Seasiders who have trained exceedingly hard and expect to figure prominently, Carole Spong and Phil Quantrill.

As something of an antidote to marathon mania, club members have also been involved in a number of other events recently.

Antony Croucher was at Olney in Buckinghamshire for the quaintly-named Cardiac Arrest III; Mike Spragg saw the cross-country season out at the British Masters Champion-

ships at Banbury in Oxfordshire; and Paul Brookshaw featured strongly in the Thorney

10k in Cambridgeshire.

Remember that there are races at all sorts of distances to suit all sorts. Maybe the five-mile series here in Great Yarmouth for a start?

Bungay Marathon results. Great Yarmouth Road Runners finishing order and times: 1 Richard Blake 3-3:55 seconds, 1st over 55; 2 John Bone 3-30:12, 1st over 60; 3 Paul Brookshaw 3-44:44 pb.

Paris Marathon: Stephen Etherington 3-28:11 pb.

Thorney 10k: Paul Brookshaw 43:19.

British Masters Cross-Country Championships at Banbury: Mike Spragg 38:39.

Cardiac Arrest III at Olney: Antony Croucher 1-19:15.