GYDAC

Easter weekend was a busy time for many of the Great Yarmouth and District Athletic Club’s members.

On Friday morning, five runners took part in the inaugural Norfolk Hospital Relay Adventure Race organised by Active Outdoor Sport. The event was a five-stage challenge from Cromer Hospital to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital — three run stages and two bikes stages with various distances and terrains.

Stage One from Cromer Hospital to Aldborough was 10.6k on very undulating roads and was tackled by Sue Fraser who was pleased to finish in 56:28 before handing over the “baton” to Pat Brightman.

Stage Two was 20.6k on the bike on a mixture of road and trail paths through the Marriotts Way to Reepham and Pat recorded a time of 1-12:09.

By now the sun was shining through making Stage Three very hot. Elaine Haggarty took over the baton and continued to run along the trail paths of the Marriotts Way for a distance of 5k through to Lenwade and clocked a time of 29:51.

Chris Gay then took the baton on Stage Four to cycle along the trail path of the Marriotts Way before returning to the road for a total distance of 14.5k and finish fifth on his leg in a time of 39:01 before handing over to Dawn Clegg for Stage Five beginning at Dereham Road, Costessey.

By now the temperatures were rising, but Dawn tackled the final 3.5k run on the busy footpaths and roads in a time of 26:21 to the finish at the N&N Hospital.

Team GYDAC finished 16th in an overall time of 3-43:21. It was a fabulous team event which they hope to repeat next year with more support from the local running clubs.

Elsewhere on Friday — in Suffolk — two members were taking part in the Roger Wing Charity 10k organised by Bungay Black Dog Running Club. This year there was a change of venue, course and all funds were donated to the All Hallows’ Healthcare Trust, Ditchingham.

Keelan Pywell finished 18th and recorded a PB to finish in 38:34. In form is Penny Studley also recorded a PB and knocked a further 30 seconds off her previous best to finish in 46:43.

On Saturday six members took part in the Gorleston Park Run. Kane Simmonds finished eighth to record a PB of 20:49 having knocked nine seconds off his previous best. Penny Studley was second lady home in a time of 21:59. Phoebe Baker was third lady in 23:51. Kevan Pywell finished in 24:48, Sue Fraser in 25:36 which was a great effort after her Friday exploits up all those hills in North Norfolk and Holly Baker also recorded a PB, knocking a huge 3.37 minutes off her previous best to finish in 28:58.

Next local races: This Sunday all local runners have a choice of Chase The Train — a nine-mile run alongside the Bure Valley Railway from Aylsham to Wroxham or Bungay Black Dog’s Full and Half Marathon.