Ryston team make their mark in 5k series
Ryston Runners members made their mark on the second race in the 2018 Wroxham 5k series, which also incorporated the County 5k Championships.
More than half of the Ryston team contesting the event leaving with county medals.
James O'Neill and Callum Stanforth battled it out to the line with the former just taking the advantage, pipping his clubmate by just two seconds, for first and second places overall.
Stanforth had the consolation of running a PB though (15.52) as this pair received gold and silver medals in the senior men's category, although O'Neill is now technically a master, in the M35 age group.
Matt Allen, ninth overall in 16.24, bagged himself silver in the M40 category, while Nic Bensley continued his recent superb form to go one better with a gold in the M45 age group, running 17.11 for 25th place overall.
John O'Neill was 65th in 18.17, Lorena Latisaite 156th in 20.11, and junior athlete Katie Moyle 453rd in 26.02.
On Sunday, Ryston's Martin Heeley took up the challenge to enter a team on behalf of the club in the Green Wheel Relay.
Starting and finishing on Peterborough Athletics track, the event covered the 45 miles of the cycle path of the same name.
The team were warmly welcomed by the organisers who were delighted to have a Ryston representation at the event.
Despite a mis-navigation by Ben Foxwell on stage four, meaning he ran over 12 miles instead of the prescribed 8.6, Team Hares were placed 16th overall out of the 457 taking part.
They were brought home by Barry Smith, showing typical Ryston team spirit by plugging on despite the risk of aggravating the calf injury which had forced his retirement from the Edinburgh Marathon a few weeks ago.
All concerned spoke with boundless enthusiasm about the event and hope to inspire more clubmates to join them there next year.
Times: Ben Foxwell Stage 4/ 8.6 miles) Oliver Foxwell (Stage 5/ 8.6 miles/9th/ 62.39) Paul Carter (Stage 1/8.3 miles/ 11th/59.50) back Barry Smith (Stage 7/5.7 miles/13th/43.38), Martin Heeley (Stage 2/ 4.3 miles/9th/29.10), Matt Hitchcock (Stage 6/7.6 miles/17th/58.36), Jamie Bransgrove (Stage 3/ 7.45 miles/12th/57.33).
Elsewhere, Gill Hart took to the roads in the Eltham Park 5 and won the W65 category.
