On Wednesday 1 July the popular Norfolk road race hosted by the Norwich Road Runners, Wroxham 5k had 31 Dereham Runners AC members running, which started and finished outside the Broadland High Ormiston Academy. This was a Norfolk county championship event with county medals for the top 3 places over the age groups. The club had 2 members taking home a county medal, those being Jacquie Wood with a Silver and Kareana Symonds who won the Bronze. Along with these, there were 5 other top ten age category finishers. Beatrice G (6th), Louise Hudson (7th), Helen Scothern (8th), Wayne Ramsbottom (4th), and Martin Scothern (10th). The first male and female club members back were Jacob Last (18:34) and Kareana (20:44). Some great running from everyone out there from team DRAC with a few course or 5k PBs recorded on that warm Wednesday evening.
On Saturday 4 July DRAC member Sarah Lake took part in the Holkham 10k. Representing the club on the single loop route around the undulating course around the grounds of the Holkham Hall estate. Sarah crossed the finishing line by the hall with a time of 1:07:43.
On 10 July the Brandon Fern Hoppers Wibbly Wobbly Log Jog saw three DRAC runners take part. Around five miles of twisting woodland trails, sandy tracks and tree roots made for a fun and challenging route, great atmosphere and good laugh. The name reflects the character of the course, rather than any obstacle. The route twists and turns through the forest over uneven ground, with tree roots, sandy patches and gentle undulations that can leave your legs feeling a little “wibbly wobbly” by the finish.
On Friday 17th July Dereham Runners AC had 18 members head to the market town of Reepham. Here everyone was taking part in the Reepham Summer 10K which is hosted by Reepham Runners AC, had all the runners taking on a mixed trail 10k course combined country lanes and sections of Marriots Way. The first male and female club members back were Ian Brown with a time of 46:06 and Laura Black with 50:09. The club had 8 members finish in the top ten of their age categories, these being, Robert Scarfe (7th) , Ian Brown (9th), Rebecca Harris (4th), Sophie Cross (10th), Lucy Cook (8th) with 3rd place finishes for both Jacquie Wood and Laura Black.
In the 3rd race of the Bungay Black Dogs Summer 10k series Leanne Bagge finished fourth lady overall, and first in her age category, coming home in a time of 43:21.3
On Saturday 18 July Ryston Runners AC night of the 5kms. This was not a trail run or on roads but 12.5 laps of the Athletics track at Lynnsport. The event had everyone running in various seeded waves based on ability starting from the 200m start line. Dereham Runners AC had 3 club members representing the club. Leanne Bagge, along with Aimee and Mark Jones. Leanne finished her laps of the track in a time of 20:25. Mark crossed the line in 23:02 and Aimee finished her 5k track run in 30:32.
On Sunday 19th July was the Flying 5k race by Coltishall Jaguars Running Club. The 5k had everyone running around the outside of the old Coltishall Airfield. Running on the day for the club was Amelia Tayt, Marcus Wiseman, Kristina Fisher and Lucy Cook.
Dereham Runners members were out in force taking part in the Worstead 5mile race on Friday 24 July hosted by North Norfolk Beach Runners. The race started in the village square for all the runners and headed out into the countryside before looping round and heading back and finishing on the field cheered on by many supporters at the village hall. A great turnout by our DRAC members, with 46 competing on the night. There were 8 who finished in the top ten of their various age categories, with Wayne Ramsbottom (6th), Martin Scothern (7th), Leanne Bagge (4th), Helen Scothern (4th) and Jacquie Wood (3rd), Amanda Baker (2nd), Kareana Symonds (2nd) and, winning her categories, was Gill Woodhouse (1st). The first 2 club members back to the finish line were Jack Gilding 32:11 and Kareana Symonds with 33:13.
Wednesday 29 July was Run Snetterton where all athletes were taking on the Snetterton Race Track, covering either 5k or 10k distances. DRAC had 15 running the single lap 5k and 2 doing the 10k. Some great running from everyone out there in the heat, with 11 members finishing top ten in their age groups in the 5k and 1 in the 10k. In the 5k there was Nina Websdale (7th), Mark Herwin (7th), Stuart Chapman (5th), Philip Websdale (4th) Mandie Thorpe (8th), Michelle Chapman (6th), Daniel Hawking (9th), Lucy Callaby (8th), Adele Edwards (4th) with Wayne Ramsbottom (2nd) and Kareana Symonds (2nd). In the 10k it was Michael Eglington (2nd). He was joined in the longer distance by Imogen O’Connor, running her first ever 10k race.
