Sabine Schaefer represented Thetford AC in the Dubener Silvesterlauf 10k (New Years Eve 10k), back in her local town in Germany. Sabine flew the flag for Thetford AC around the undulating Cross Country course finishing 2nd in her age group and 3rd female overall in 44:33.

It was race 2 in the Suffolk Cross Country League held in Woodbridge that brought home some great results for Thetford AC. In the Junior 2 mile race it was Jake Dorbin and Bethany Wilson both finishing 2nd in their age groups (U13) in 12:10 and 14:00. For the Seniors it was Karl Wright home first for Thetford in 31:55 and 28th in his age group, Sabine Schaefer 33:21 2nd in age group, Gary Malliband 33:47 24th in age group and Ann Kirton finishing in 46:34 and 14th in her age group.

It was round 3 at the Ryston Cross Country Series at the weekend. Thetford runners braved the chilly conditions for some superb performances through the forest. For the U15’s it was local stars James and Ben Peck who came 1st and 2nd in 9:40 and 9:41, in the U13 Boys it was Jake Dorbin and Callum Wing again taking 1st and 2nd places in 11:04 and 11:59. For the girls Bethany Wilson finished 2nd in the U13’s in 12:21. There were 2 senior runners for Thetford – Kevin Vaughan who again was mentioned for completing over 100 races at Ryston. He finished the 6.5k course in 24:09 for 1st place in his age group, Gary Malliband completed the course with a personal best in 27:27 for 6th in his age group.

Seven Thetford Athletics Club members took part in the off-road Breckland 10k at the weekend. The course incorporates, mud, tracks, hills and bridleways and Thetford’s first runner back was Jason Elrick in 42:59. He was followed by Richard Crewe 45:23, Peter Elliott 50:03, Shirley Standley 55:20, Kayleigh Bailey 1:03:56, Graham Wade 1:05:48 and Heidi Smith 1:07:12

Elsewhere Jennie and Colin Chamberlain ran at the EAMA Wymondham10k. Jennie finished 12^th in her age group in 58:03 while Colin ran through an achilles injury to finish 16^th in his age group in 53:47.

Several Thetford Senior runners achieved PB’s at the weekend at the Long Sutton 10k. First back for Thetford was Jason Elrick 41:25 followed by Richard Crewe 43:20, Neil Vendy 46:27, Nicolas Jones 46:53 PB, Nik Greenough 48:04, Andrew Smith 48:05, Andy Fleet 49:45, Carri Vendy 51:05 PB, Kayleigh Bailey 54:54, Becky Burris 1:13:44

Peter Elliott and Jennie Chamberlain were the sole TAC representatives at the 11^th Annual Adnams 10k in Southwold on 17/11/19. Peter finished in a new PB time of 42:09 placing him 69^th from 771 and 8^th in his age group with Jennie finishing in a time of 1:00:24 in race position 595 and 33^rd in her age group.

Thetford runners were met with muddy conditions in the first race of the Suffolk League Cross Country Series. Framlingham Castle was the picturesque backdrop to set the scene for the Juniors who were first off on the 2 mile course. Daniel Clouston came home in 5^th in the U13 boys in 15:06, Bethany Wilson was 4^th in the U13 girls in 16:13. Next followed Abigail Clouston for 3^rd place in the U15 Girls in 16:23 and Ewan Peck 16^th in the U15 Boys in 17:21. The Senior team followed shortly afterwards and over the 5.5 mile course Louise White secured 1^st place in her age group (6^th female overall) in 43:13 followed shortly by Sabine Schaefer 2^nd in age group and 7^th female overall in 43:36. Gary Malliband finished in 32^nd place in 46:19, Stephanie Clouston gained 5^th in age group in 51:55 and Ann Kirton 13^th in 65:57.

Thetford AC’s Kevin Vaughan (pictured centre back) attended the Ryston 9k XC race on Sunday and discovered that it was his 100th run at Ryston. Kevin has been a regular competitor at the Cross Country race series over the years winning many many times on individual races and also in the overall age group race series. This award is quite rare as only a handful of others have achieved it.

It was the second race in the Ryston Cross Country series on Sunday at Shouldham Woods near King’s Lynn. For Thetford AC it was a great turnout in chilly conditions with the Junior athletes running first. Poppy Findlay competing for the under 9’s in the 800m finished in 12^th place in 4:09, in the same race Casper Finlay finished in 4:49 taking 18^th place. Callum Wing was 1^st in the U13’s running the 3km in 11:52 and Alfie Findlay 2^nd in 12:31. Bethany Wilson completed the Juniors with a 2^nd place in 11:53.

Thetford Seniors were up next to take on the 9k 2 loop course and first back for Thetford and also claiming 1^st in the 50-59 age category was Kevin Vaughan. Next was Karl Wright in the Senior category in 35:21, Louise White and Sabine Schaefer finished 2^nd and 3^rd in the 40-44 category in 36:31 and 36:59. Gary Malliband followed shortly in 37:06 for 6^th in the 45-49 and Brian Wright 7^th in the 60-64 in 47:21.

Linda Cusack and Peter Elliot were the only TAC members to compete in the Trowse 10k on Sunday 27th October on a beautiful sunny day, perfect running conditions.