TAC runners were presented with some extra challenges conditions at these races with gale force winds and rain adding new dimensions to the already undulating course.
Karl Wright was sole competitor for TAC in the 10 mile race, finishing in 1:13:52.
In the 20 mile it was Daniel Routledge back first for Thetford in 2:26:05, followed by Gary Malliband in his first 20 miler and longest ever run in 2:41:07. Andrew Smith followed in 2:56:02, a PB by over 12mins and Kelly McGill in 3:10:37, a PB by 4 mins.

Thetford runners Charlotte and Simon Smith travelled to Sleaford to take part in the Rauceby Ripper 9 mile XC event. As always the course delivered everything expected of a cross country race including thick mud, sand, gravel and a few hill climbs. Simon completed the course in 1hr 31sec to claim 8th place and 2nd in his age group. Charlotte followed in 1hr 13min for 5th female and 2nd in age group.

EASTERN REGION INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2020 Eastern Region Track and Field Championships was held at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

Taking part in the event were Thetford trio Dan Clouston, Abigail Clouston and Jessica Norkett.

Dan was the first of the trio to race, contesting the U15 boys 800m. Dan had a great race, taking 7 seconds off his pb to finish in 7th place (2:23.52).

Abigail Clouston was next up in the U17 women’s 1500m and produced a medal winning performance to finish in 3rd place.

Jessica Norkett was next producing a dominant, championship winning performance in the U20 women’s race to finish in 1st place and take the Eastern Region title and break the championship record.

All three produced positive performances to take forward into the upcoming 2020 outdoor track season.

Photo by Thetford AC

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Richard Crewe, Andrew Smith & Kelly McGill represented TAC at a windy Great Bentley. Richard Crewe was first home, 1:41:03, Andrew followed with a half marathon PB 1:46:35 and Kelly also ran a PB in 1:54:22

Haughley near Stowmarket was the location for race number 3 in the Suffolk Winter League XC. Thetford AC were represented by Toby Vendy in the U11 who finished in 10th place in a time of 2:38. In the Junior section the 2 mile course was covered by Callum Wing in 15:15 to claim 19th place in the U13 Boys. For the Seniors it was a 5 mile muddy course to complete and it was Simon Smith back first for Thetford in 37:43 for 11th in his age group. Followed by Gary Malliband in 40:40 for 23rd place in the same age group. Sabine Schaefer claimed 2nd in her age group in 42:15, Carri Vendy took place in her first XC League race and ran with Ann Kirton of Thetford, they finished in 61:22 and 61:24 for 13th and 15th places in their respective age groups.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Parliament Hill, one of the most iconic cross country venues, hosted this years South of England XC Championships.

The course is famed for its tough conditions where the athletes start at the bottom of Parliament Hill and climb the long incline before continuing along the rest of the course.

Thetford AC had several junior members racing, of which this was the first experience of these championships for some of them.

The U13 boys had to tackle a 3km course with Jake Dorbin having a great first experience, finishing in 26th place. Alfie Findlay was the next Thetford athlete home, again experiencing the event for the first time and finishing in 165th place. Callum Wing was next home for Thetford in 242nd place.

Two Thetford athletes contested the 3km U13 girls race with Bethany Wilson finishing in 149th place in her debut at this venue and Alicia Mae Howard in 275th.

There was a podium finish in the U15 boys race over 4.5km with Ben Peck having a fantastic day, finishing in 3rd and taking the bronze medal. James Peck came home in 13th place with the third Thetford athlete, Ewan Peck, coming home in 312th place.

These were fantastic results for all of the athletes over what is renowned as one of the toughest courses in the country.

Lauren Goldsmith completed her debut at the Keith Ward Memorial Indoor Track Competition at the weekend. Competing in the 60m sprint for the first time Lauren clocked 9.9 seconds and finished 5th female, 3rd Senior female and won a bronze medal for the county.

NORFOLK COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hundreds of athletes from all over the County descended on Barnham Common for the 2020 Norfolk County Cross Country Championships, hosted by Thetford Athletic Club.

As well as being hosts, Thetford AC also had a good number of athletes taking part with Rosie-Mae Jackson being first up in the U11 girls race, contested over 2km. Rosie-Mae finished in 8th place with Charlie Fowler taking 16th place and Alex Collings 22nd in the U11 boys race.

The 3km Under 13 girls race saw a trio of athletes take part. Billie-Jordan Butler was just outside the medals finishing in 4th with Bethany Wilson next in 13th followed by Alicia Mae Howard in 17th place. The trio took home a bronze medal, with the team finishing 3rd overall.

Another medal followed for Thetford in the U13 boys event with Jake Dorbin racing home to a 3rd place finish with Daniel Clouston just behind in 5th place. Alfie Findlay was next for Thetford in 20th place followed by Jacob Campbell in 23rd. The trio of Jake, Daniel and Alfie were awarded a silver medal with the team finishing in 2nd place overall.

The sole Thetford athlete in the 4.2km U15 girls race was Natalia Jaworska who finished 17th. Ewan Peck completed the line up of Thetford juniors, finishing in 20th place in the U15 boys race.

For the Senior members of Thetford a 6 mile course awaited them. First back for the club was Kevin Vaughan to claim 2nd place in the male 55-59 age group. Karl Wright finished 18th in his age group whilst Louise White finished shortly after for 2nd place in the ladies 40-44 age group. Gary Malliband and Richard Crewe were next in 18th and 23rd place in the male 45-49 age group.

On the same day the Suffolk County Cross Country Championships was held at Culford School. Thetford AC had 3 athletes entered into these championships with Callum Wing first up to contest the 3km U13 boys race where he finished in 25th place.

Next to race in the 4.2km U15 boys race was Ben and James Peck. Ben took the bronze medal, racing home to a 3rd place finish with James just outside the medals in 4th.

Thetford AC Junior and Seniors were well represented at the fourth round of the Ryston Runners Cross Country Series at the weekend. In the U9 Girls it was Poppy Findlay finishing in 9^th place in 3:46, Bethany Wilson for the U13 Girls finishing in 2^nd place in 12:12, and 2 podiums for the U13 Boys with Callum Wing 2^nd in 12:18 followed closely by Alfie Findlay in 3^rd 12:21. Next up it was the Seniors on the 5k course with Kevin Vaughan victorious in his 55-59 age group category in 18:06. Next was Karl Wright in 19:11 for 9^th place and Tony Cantle 4^th in the 60-64 age group in 23:01.