West Norfolk claim team honours in relay race

A team from West Norfolk Athletic Club claimed the race honours at the Alex Moore Relay.In the new location of the Norfolk Showground just outside of Norwich, the much-loved event still managed to draw in hundreds of local runners for some relay fun.More than 130 teams took part on a humid and windy day and the format saw teams of three runners run a 5k* leg (three laps of the showground) each.When the final runner finishes, they then continue to run a final 2k (1 lap) with the two other teammates, so each team has to finish together.West Norfolk only fielded a single team on the day, but it didn’t stop the club from having a successful day at the club.To kick off the day’s festival of running, there was the junior race, which consisted of a 2k single loop.West Norfolk AC youngster James Watts cruised to victory with a blistering time of 6:59, notching a PB and a first-ever sub-7-minute 2k time. Jess Watts was placed as the first 8–9-year-old girl running an incredible 9:01 for the 2k. Chloe Gayton was also placed high in the 8-9 girl race, coming fourth with a time of 10:46.Edward Gayton was first in the boys 6-7 category, running 9:10.In the senior race, West Norfolk’s team, comprising of Ryan Oakes, Callum Stanforth and Mitchell Bunn, decided to join forces in the hopes of clinching a relay victory on the day.Ryan Oakes started in a mass start that resembled more of a traditional race start. He gave the team a perfect start by handing over the baton with a lead for WNAC, running a time of 17:04 on the slightly over 5k course.Callum Stanforth then took the baton to further extend the team’s lead by nearly two minutes, running a time of 16:19. Mitchell Bunn was given the third leg and the job to put the nail in the coffin, and that he did, running a time of 16:20 before picking up Oakes and Stanforth for the final lap.The three WNAC athletes completed the final 2k in 6:38 to clinch first place on the day, completing the relay with a combined time of 56:21. Honourable mentions to club members Neil, Wayne and Oliver Gayton who completed the relay event representing an independent running group from Lynn.Ben and Oliver Foxwell also took part on the day with their brother Michael.