Fenland Running Club members out in force at festive events

Fenland Running Club members closed out 2024 with some notable achievements in the final few days of the year.

The Crown Boxing Day Pitsea Running Club 5km saw Fenland member Leslie Prince put in a very creditable performance to finish 184th from a field of 212 and in a time of 35:55.

The event is classified as a trail race run mainly on tracks with some road sections as the organisers say "challenging in parts" sections, but also picturesque.

At the Marham NYE 10k, 20 Fenland competitors were all hoping that the strong winds forecasted for the day remained absent for the duration, and in the main, this proved to be the case.

However, the openness of running around the perimeter of an airfield did little to prevent some sections from being a little blustery as the conditions worsened throughout the race.

This did not prevent some Fenland members from achieving both PBs and CBs.

Particular mention should go to Richard Agger who dipped below the 39-minute barrier.

Times: Martin Jennings 37:12 (first in age category), Dan Tickner 38.53, Richard Agger 38:57 (PB), Simon Hamilton 41:37 (PB and first in age cat), Andrew Baldwin 42:53, Tom Richards 43:20, Carol Bowett 46:49, Ann Trett 47:12, Miles Thomas 52:04, Jac Richards 54:30, Maire Kay 55:10, Ian King 55:46 (CB), Phillip Clarke 55:56, Jane Clarke 58:04, Gilly Anderson 1:05:30, Barbra Welbourne 1:05:39, Lucy Hicks 1:11:09 (CB), Lesley Prince 1:11:10, Sarah Rippon 1:11:23, Trevor Sutherill 1:12:24.

New to New Year's Day, the Wymondham 10km, which forms part of the Norfolk 10km championships, saw Malcolm Tuff continue his very impressive season.

Having now moved up an age category, Tuff produced yet another first in his age category, with a very powerful run.

Tuff finished 32nd in a 733-strong field and by his own admission a time of 39:18, a time he said was "about two minutes slower due to the windy conditions".

2024 has provided some outstanding moments with many firsts in races, PBs, CBs and much more.

The club has grown in size with its membership but also in its standard of running.

It has and continues to welcome new members of all standards showing that it's an all-inclusive club that is willing to work with and develop talent from the local area.

This year saw another successful Fen 10 event which quickly sold out, demonstrating its popularity.

It has seen its runners compete at distances from 5km to ultra distance.

Several club members undertook the Marathon distance, both at home and aboard, from Abingdon to Amsterdam and Valencia to virtual London, what is more impressive is that nine of them clocked a sub-four-hour time.

All club members have entered their respective racing theatres fuelled by the the efforts of the running club coaching and run leader team, which has enabled them to improve on previous bests whether that be achieving personal bests, course bests, improving age gradings, or Vo2 max.

However, it would be remiss not to mention Malcolm Tuff's achievements this year which saw him selected to represent England in his age category - not bad for a small (ish) club.

The club and its members look forward with anticipation and excitement to what 2025 has install for it and building on the successes of 2024.