Wednesday evening last week was a busy one for Ryston Runners AC, with many involved in the last EMAC Track and Field League fixture of the year at Alive Lynnsport, and a few over at Snetterton for the 5k/10k races.
The EMAC match saw the Ryston Men consolidate their third place in the series overall, with another third on the night, while the women’s team secured fourth places in both cases.
For the men, the greatest individual successes came in the field events.
A triple in the triple jump was achieved by Rob Simmonds (M35), David Van Den Berg (M60 competing as M50) and Richard Van Baaren (M60).
Simmonds also took the M35 javelin, a double win with Ian Wells taking the M60.
Like Simmonds, Wells was a double winner as he also won the M60 300m hurdles.
Glen Paxman won the M35 pole vault, and Ricky Huskisson the M60 100m.
There were EMAC League debuts for Nic Bensley and Mark Ramsden, who contested the M50 and M35 3000m, and both were placed third in very strong fields, and for Gavin Reynolds in the 400/200/200/400m relay.
Regular team members Tony Savage, Jeff Reed, Danny Smith, and Liam Dawson completed the Ryston line-up on the night.
The women’s team largely featured athletes who have competed all season, and while Marlene Simmonds’ win in the W70 javelin was the only individual victory on the night, it was a classic example of the team pulling together to cover as many events as possible.
Pat Brightman, Helen Driver, Linda Marshall, Liz Blakie, Elaine Knight, Claire Chamberlain, Zoe Flander, and Gaye Clarke were zipping about all over the track and field all evening, and also pleased to welcome Amanda Hovell, Cat Foley-Wray, and Julie Williamson/Walker to the Ryston EMAC fold.
Regular officials and helpers, who included Mick Ennis, David Lane, Paul Firmage, and Martin Simmonds were also on hand to mark not only the end of the 2025 campaign but also Helen Reed’s 10 years as team manager and chief cake maker.
Now the wait begins to see, not only who has made the cut for the League final in Thurrock on September 6, but also who will step
up to take over a team manager for next year’s competition.
Meanwhile, five Ryston athletes took up the Snetterton road race option. Matty Thrower opted for the 5k event and justified his choice with a win in the M45 category (third overall) with 16:59.
Adam Matthews ran 34:49 for third place overall/ second SM over 10k.
Anna Kahn was eighth SF/109th with 44:34, and Leonie Stimson 34th SF/315th with 50:49.
Eamonn McCusker made a minute’s improvement on his time at Bungay earlier in the month, placing 474th and ninth M65+ with 57:43.
Other members lined up for the Reepham 10K, a mixed terrain race, on Friday evening.
Gina Hurrell (F60) and Jane Ashby (F70) took second places in their categories, Hurrell in 146th overall with 49:53 and Ashby 88th with 53:26.
Two people who had featured at the EMAC event on Wednesday were in action again.
Chris Chaplin, who had helped at the EMAC match, ran 38:14 for 11th place overall/7th SM, and Liz Blakie was placed 13th F60 in 260th with 61:52.
Paul Curson was 31st M50 in 171st with 51:42, the prolific Lynne Howlett was 239th/13th F60 with 58:15, and Martin Blackburn ran 63:57 for 270th /35th M60.
