Ryston Runners compete in annual five-mile race

Thursday saw the annual running of Ryston Runners' Hancock Handicap five-mile race, in memory of one of the club's founders, Bob Hancock.

More than 50 members submitted their target times to the official handicapper, Marlene Simmonds, and were set off accordingly at staggered times by race organiser Andy Smith.

First back to the DTSF ground was Julie Barrow, whoseactual running time was 41.13.

John Hopgood recorded the fastest time over the course, 29.23, hunted home closely by Dominic Hughes (29.36), Nic Bensley the last to set off, (29.39) and Richard Ebbs (29.53), these four earning themselves a 'Hancock Hare' award for breaking 30-minutes for the distance.

Age graded Hare standards were achieved by: Warren Armstrong (30.25), Ben Keeley (30.53), Stewart Robins (32.22), Simon Able (33.03), Neil Stapleton (33.17), Les Scott (35.34), Kevin Howlett (36.33), Pauline Sparrow

(43.56), and Gill Hart (49.08).

Ryston Runners members Jane Ashby and Sarah Partridge spent Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday out in the Suffolk countryside, running three back-to-back multi terrain marathons as part of The Great Barrow Challenge.

A highlight for Ashby came when race organisers did the rounds of competitors on Saturday handing out iced lollies.

Even further afield in Yorkshire a small but hearty band of club members tackled the BHF Three Peaks event.

Further away still, in Spain, Pete and Cath Duhig took part in the Aidemarcha 5k at San Javier, Murcia, in aid of a local charity.

Pete finished in the top third of the 1000-strong field with a time of 25.18 - his best running time since his cardiac arrest last

September.

Cath walked it in just over 31 minutes, finishing just outside the second third of the field and 13th woman over 50.