It was another action-packed weekend for Ryston Runners AC, with members excelling across marathons, half marathons, 10ks and even track and field championships at home and abroad.
The headline story came from the Norfolk Coastal Marathon and Half Marathon, where the club produced a stunning haul of 13 podium places across the two races.
Out of 310 finishers, Ryston fielded 18 athletes, with none more successful than club chairman Rob Simmonds, who only decided late to enter but went on to win the marathon outright in 3:01:05.
Simmonds also secured victory in the M40 category.
He wasn’t the only winner in the marathon.
Graeme Leeson claimed first M50 in 3:47:22, Lesley Robins won the F50 age group (3:48:38) and finished as the second female overall, while Jit Patel made his debut at the distance with a fine win in the M65 category (4:00:09).
Jane Ashby added another F75 victory (4:52:20), and Sarah Taylor topped the F60 standings (5:04:50).
There were also age group podiums for Ben Keeley (second M35, 3:08:08), Dani Sparkes (second F25, 4:44:52), Chris Chaplin (third M35, 3:45:22), Lucy McDowie (third F45, 4:52:19), and Karen Smith (third F55, 5:04:50).
In the Half Marathon, Dickie Ebbs took top honours, winning in 1:23:33 and setting a new club best in the M55 category.
Clubmate Nic Bensley finished just behind in 1:30:14 for second M55, while Andy Williamson was second M30 in 1:34:02.
Lynne Howlett also secured a podium with second place in F65 (2:32:11).
Ryston positions and times were as follows.
Norfolk Coastal Marathon (Holme to Morston Quay): 1 Rob Simmonds M40 3:01:05; 4 Ben Keeley M35 3:08:08; 17 Chris Chaplin M35 3:45:22; 18 Graeme Leeson M50 3:47:22; 19 Lesley Robins F50 3:48:38; 24 Justin Walker 4th M50 3:55:56; 30 Jit Patel M65 4:00:09; 37 Stewart Robins 4th M55 4:08:34; 80 Dani Sparkes F25 4:44:52; 92 Lucy McDowie F45 4:52:19; 93 Jane Ashby F75 4:52:20; 116 Sarah Taylor F60 5:04:50; 117 Karen Smith F55 5:04:50; 169 Jonathon Goult M55 7:09:59.
Norfolk Coastal Half Marathon (Burnham Overy to Morston Quay): 1 Dickie Ebbs M55 1:23:33; 5 Nic Bensley M55 1:30:14; 7 Andy Williamson M30 1:34:02; 145 Lynne Howlett F65 2:32:11; 189 Martin Elsegood M60 3:12:35.
Elsewhere, Jane Ashby shrugged off recent injury concerns to return to racing at the Harling 10k, where she finished fourth in the F70 category (57:49), just behind teammate Pauline Sparrow, who was placed third with 56:47.
Ashby’s run ensured she stays top of her category in the 2025 Sportlink Road Race Grand Prix Series.
There were further strong results at Harling for Ruth Chadwick (100th/47:03, second F45), Gina Hurrell (120th/48:38, second F55), James Trim (69th overall/27th SM), Chris Cann (82nd/45:36), Alicia Pentelow (140th/50:19), Linda Marshall (148th/51:13), Chris Chadwick (172nd/52:51) and Martin Blackburn (274th/62:41).
The club also had three “lone wolves” competing further afield.
Dawn Robinson took part in the BMW Berlin Marathon, running 3:18:24 despite warm conditions, a quicker time than her run at this year’s London Marathon.
Leonie Stimson completed the Ipswich Half Marathon in 1:55:33, while Liz Blakie ran the Marriott’s Way event from Aylsham to Reepham in 63:22, placing third in the F65 category.
On the track, the BMAF Championships in Derby saw Stephen Aish set a new club M50 record in the 100m with 12.56, bettering his previous mark.
Gaye Clarke, competing in the W65 category, finished fourth in both shot and hammer, fifth in high jump and 11th in long jump.
Meanwhile, several of Ryston’s male athletes contested the EAL finals, though without team managers Lindsay Clare and Becks Tuff, who instead took part in the Shine Night Walk in London, raising funds for Cancer Research.
