West Norfolk named top club at cross-country series

It was another successful weekend for West Norfolk Athletic Club members as several athletes took part in events locally and further afield.Sunday saw the finale of the Shouldham cross-country series hosted by Ryston Runners.For the under-9s (800 meters), William Ward claimed another medal and was placed third in the boy’s race while Jacob Green ran well to earn a top-ten finish, with ninth in the boy’s race.Abe Gosnell finished the series in style, claiming a new PB and was placed 19th in the boy’s race and Lauren Lawrence clinched first place in the girl’s race and raced to a new PB too.Jess Watts rounded off the cross-country series impressively to finish fourth in the girl’s race.For the under-11s (2km), James Watts claimed yet another win in the boy’s race and was placed first while Duncan Roney earned a well-deserved top-ten finish and was placed ninth in the boy’s race.Casey Ward was placed third in the girl’s race for the under-13s and 15s (3km), running a new PB in the process. Another PB was recorded as Rhys Howard was placed fifth in the boy’s race. In the Under 15 boys’ race, Aidan Howard ran impressively and was placed fourth to grab himself a new PB.Flynn Angell was placed fifth in the boy’s race, making an impressive debut for the club.Oliva Ord was placed first in the under-15 girls’ race whilst clubmate Jessica Lawrence was placed third. Finally, it was the seniors and under-17s (6.5k).Henry Gosnell stormed home to finish fourth in the U17 category (ninth overall including seniors) with a time of 24:33 while Oliver Gayton claimed a sub-30-minute finish time, running 29:16 for 6.5k. Hanley Angell was placed fifth in the senior’s race, notching a new PB for himself, running 26:34.Megan Miller claimed another win in the senior women’s race, running a time of 27:19. Ben Collison recorded a time of 31:01, and was placed sixth in the men’s V40 category.Rob Gosnell earned his first-ever Shouldham medal and was placed third in the men’s V45 category, running a time of 29:48.Greg Davis claimed second place in the men’s V60 category, running an impressive 27:48.The overall series awards were calculated by adding up times from individual athletes’ best three performances out of a potential six (one performance of each distance must be completed) The highest-ranked athletes from three events are awarded series trophies across multiple age categories.Series overall honours:Under 9 boys: William Ward third.Under 9 girls: Jessica Watts first, Lauren Lawrence second. Under 11 boys: James Watts firstUnder 13 girls: Casey Ward third.Under 15 boys: Ethan Ward first.Under 15 girls: Olivia Ord first, Jessica Lawrence third. Senior men: Hanley Angell third.Senior women: Megan Miller first.Vet 50 men: Martin Sheldrick second.V45 Women: Juile Ward third. West Norfolk AC is honoured and surprised to be awarded as the top club in the series and the most improved club, which rounded off another successful cross-country series for all concerned.The club would like to extend its thanks and congratulations to Ryston Runners AC for hosting yet again another fantastic cross-country series.Lastly, WNAC member Martin Koenigsberger celebrated St Patrick’s Day in style by taking part in the St Patrick’s Day races in Bay City, Michigan.Koenigsberger not only completed an 8k race but a 5k too, all on the same day. Meanwhile, Callum Stanforth was selected to represent Norfolk in the Essex 20-mile inter-county race.Racing against other counties from across the country in teams of four, Stanforth was rewarded a place in the team for a notable year of running in 2024.Stanforth finished 22nd overall running a time of 1:56:49, setting a new personal best and breaking the club record for 20 miles.Samantha Stringer was further north to take part in the Wakefield Hospice 10k, an undulating road 10k through the town of Wakefield.Stringer ran a very strong 46:29 for 10k, which was a pleasing return to form.