Ryston Runners hosts annual Wissey Half Marathon

The biggest road race event organised annually by Ryston Runners took place on Sunday.

The Wissey Half Marathon, begun in a slightly different guise more than 35 years ago, set off at 9:30, and followed its undulating course around the country roads back to the race base at Oxborough Village Hall in what have become customary warm conditions.

Out of 177 finishers, first home for the hosts was Dan Guppy, sixth overall and second M40 in 1:21:02.

Jason Cooper took the same position in the sm category, seventh overall, a couple of minutes later with 1:23:14.

There was also a second category place for Jit Patel, M65, 70th overall in 1:44:08.

Dawn Robinson laid the ghost of a poorly paced run last year by applying her greater race experience on this occasion to wrap up the SW category with a winning time of 1:32:26, five minutes better than last time, and in 28th place overall.

Third places in their age groups were mopped up by Rob Skillings (M40/ninth overall/1:24:23), Darren Easter (M50/30th/1:33:16), Julie Williamson (F40/1:41:05), Sarah Taylor (F55/112th/1:58:39), Jacqui Scott (F50/129th/2:07:31), and Sarah Partridge (F65+/141st/2:12:33).

The biggest personal improvement reported by a club member on the day was the 11 minutes pb run by Luke Garrigan, neatly in 11th place, 1:25:12, the same time posted by Dan Yallop in 12th (sixth SM) who had only decided to run this event on the previous Friday, just before entries closed, as a tester for the upcoming Round Norfolk Relay.

Gavin Reynolds and Dan Barnes also bagged themselves top 20 spots, 18th and 19th with 1:29:26 and 1:29:40 respectively.

Making his distance debut, being more accustomed to track and field, and the occasional venture over 10k, Gareth Hunt ran 1:46:27 for 89th place.

At the other end of the distance experience spectrum a delighted Gill Hart ran her best time for five injury-blighted years, and was placed fourth w65+, 170th overall, with 2:35:39.

Completing the club’s running line up were Lee Johnson (48th/6th M40/1:38:29), Justin Walker (58th/7thM50/1:41:05), Karen Smith (138th/6thW55/2:10:27), and Julie Barrow (142nd/9th W40/2:12:57).

Behind the scenes more than equal this number of members were involved with course management, manning of water stations, marshalling, medal distribution, refreshments, and the myriad other unsung jobs that make this sort of event possible and seal the club’s spirit and reputation.