Ryston athletes take to Norfolk coast

As if running around the entire Norfolk border wasn’t enough, several members of Ryston Runners AC were back on the Norfolk Coastal Path on Saturday competing in the Positive Steps Marathon and Half, the former beginning at Holme-next-the-Sea, the latter at Burnham Overy Staithe, both finishing at Morston Quay.There was no mistaking the depth and strength of the Ryston participation, with almost three-quarters of them taking a top-three place in their respective categories.Ben Elmer led the way and was placed third overall over the marathon distance and 1st M30 in 3:30:03.Ten minutes later, Dickie Ebbs finished in 3:40:52 for sixth place and first M50, and further five minutes on Dawn Robinson clocked 3:45:42 to achieve the accolade of being 1st woman in the race as well as first F35.Robinson paved the way for another hat-trick of wins by Ryston women, Lesley Robins taking the F50 honours with 4:14:10, Julia Norman first F45 with 4:59:08, and Jane Ashby 1st F75 with 5:30:12, despite taking a tumble in the wet, slippery conditions.Graeme Leeson and Stew Robins both took second places in their respective M50 and M55 categories, Leeson, in 24th place overall, clocking 4:10:05, and Robins, 36th, 4:23:34.Third places in category went to Justin Walker M50 who covered the course in 4:28:17, and Karen Smith F55 who clocked 5:13:42. Rob Skillings finished in fourth place in the M40 category, after having to slow down after mile 18 due to suffering a cramp. Chris Chaplin, whose recently found passion for running is bearing fruit in the shape of some excellent results, crossed the finish line with Walker, in 43rd place overall in 4:28:18.Then there was a half-hour hiatus before Paul Freear finished in 4:58:26, seventh M50.The clock had ticked over five hours before Sarah Taylor finished fifth F55 and 96th overall in 5:23:02, preceding Ashby by seven minutes. A nine-hour drive back from the West Country paid off for Nic Bensley when he took second in the half marathon and won the M50 category in 1:33:32.Behind him was new member Shakur Casaleiro finished fourth/1:43:492nd M20 in 1:35:00.In terms of category places, both Susan Hipperson and Heather Pocklington went one better than either of these two, Susan winning the F45 category and first woman to finish with 1:43:49, and Heather victorious F65 with 3:05:34.Chris Brockbank was ninth M35 with 2:56:49, while Martin Elsegood arrived at Morston Quay 3:14:59 after starting, in ninth place in the M55 age group.