Last year was a great year for Reepham Runners we entered not one but two teams in the Round Norfolk Relay, not a bad effort for a small club. Both teams did exceptionally well, each came second in their respective categories (Mixed and Masters) none of this would have been possible without the help of all our willing volunteers supporting our runners while they were running sometimes in the pitch black of the night. Some even provided additional support service including the provision of emergency toilet rolls (not naming and shaming here but for a couple of drinks at the next social event the information is yours). The individual stage result for each team are below: -

What an amazing event and even more amazing Team this year!!!

The best year Reepham Runners have ever had - we now need our very own trophy cabinet.

Obviously this would not have been possible, not only for the runners, but for all the supporters, cyclists, timekeepers, transporters and marshals at Hunstanton.

Overall we came 23 out of 51 teams, 7 in Club Class and .... First in Small Club Class!

Not only that but this was our 10th appearance - not only for the Club but it was also the 10th time Richard Bulman had run - so there is another trophy for the Club and a medal for Richard.

But not only this Pippa Crosby did a blinding run and won stage 4 and Dominic Blake won stage 9 and also set the RNR stage record for this leg.

Overall the Club's Average pace = 7:56.1 = Total running time = 25:56:52 New club record!

As usual Phil Cooper, as organiser, gave an award to the person involved who he thought deserved it.  He said that he had two choices for this - Binks for stepping up to run just under 11 miles when she only wanted a short distance, and did a great run and Pippa Crosby for improving her running, and winning her stage.  After much consideration Pippa was given this - well done Pippa.

For photos see Click here - RNR Photos 2014

Below is how the Team faired:

The day started grey (well dark), gale force winds and drizzle, hard at some points (especially when Leigh started running, with Geoff cycling).

Due to the calibre of the Reepham Runners this year the start time was one of the latest at 7 am.  This meant there was not the usual panic by the support to get the escorting vehicle with flashing light behind the first runner!

Leigh looked comfortable at Castle Rising when he was third out of the five who started together.  He was in good spirits when Geoff stopped cycling at Wolferton.  Then the wind and drizzle kicked in as he ran the coast line on his own.  He lost 2 minutes but in the weather conditions and being his longest run so far that was brilliant.

Dominic was on stage 2 and up for trying to break the course record, only having a small bit of carrot cake to keep him going from Hunstanton café.  He set a stonking pace – Geoff barely keeping up on his bike as he was running at 10 miles an hour!  Although he ran under 6 minute mile pace as planned he had an excursion around the golf course, adding about .4 of mile on, so good time, but no course record and 1.5 minutes added on time.

Olaf next, at least by now it was nearly dry but with a strong head wind on first part of run.  He stormed the run, beat his time and gained 1.5 minutes – excellent running.

Next was Richard B with his dodgy knee.  He had the strong wind for the majority of the run with some restbite in places.  We all sat indoors at Wiveton Café  (tasty soup!) waiting for him to come past.  Geoff then jumping out and onto bike to then follow him the last couple of miles to Cley beach.  Excellent run only losing a couple of minutes. The pint at Cromer after helping to ease the pain of the knee!

James had a tough run – 4 miles of shingle, Beeston bump and cliff top running.  He managed to knock a couple of minutes off before handing over to Karen.  Karen then had hilly road route with Geoff cycling behind as her personal trainer keeping her motivated up the hills.  She did such a good pace she beat James to Mundesley so the change over of cyclist from Geoff happened on route whilst Nick ran.

Nick kept a good pace, found his way and passed to Polly who was in good form at Lessingham.  Nice flat run with James cycling behind to Horsey Mill.  She did excellent time and by now we were about 6 minutes behind.

Mary next, with Karen on her bike (which she hadn’t rode for 10 years).  She ran into Gt Yarmouth in the dark with Karen’s encouragement of ‘rolling, rolling, rolling…..’ behind her!  A strong finish to pass on to Chris for the night stages.

Thanks to David Marks, Steve Cole, Geoff Gowing who didn’t run but supported  and all the runners who not only ran but helped without this we couldn’t do the event.

This year's photos are available at Reepham Runners at RNR

For more information on the event please visit the official website, Round Norfolk Relay

Below is the list of runners for this year

We did complete the event within 29 seconds of our predicted time which is amazing. Dominic Blake won his stage and also broke the stage record. Well done to everyone. We also had 4 stage records for the club broken.

We came 48th out of 56 teams, finishing in a very creditable 27:32:46. This gave us an average pace of 8mins 22secs.

Below are the results for 2011:

Stage 1-Kings Lynn to Hunstanton, 16.32 miles, Steve Plackett, 2:14:27.

Stage 2-Hunstanton to Burnham Overy, 14.06 miles, Ben McQuillin 1:51:19.

Stage 3-Burnham Overy, 5.76 miles, Sue king, 1:15:17.

Stage 4-Wells to Cley, 11.14 miles, Gregg Quinn, 1:25:03 (RR Club record).

Stage 5-Cley to Cromer, 10.81 miles, Chris Edwards, 1:30:42 (RR Club record).

Stage 6-Cromer to Mundesley, 7.9 miles, Jude Durrant, 1:02:34.

Stage 7-Mundesley to Lessingham, 9.24 miles, Amy Tate, 1:19:41. (Team Captains Choice Performance 2011 Award)

Stage 8-Lessingham to Horsey, 7.52 miles, Richard Cadman, 1:03:22,

Stage 9-Horsey to Great Yarmouth, 11.3 miles, Paul Robinson (Team captain), 1:35:14,

Stage 10-Great Yarmouth to Bungay, 20.06 miles, Richard Morris-Jones, 2:40:14 (RR Club Record),

Stage 11-Bungay to Scole, 14.6 miles, 1:24:55 (RR Club Record),

Stage 12-Scole to Thetford, 19.67 miles, Richard Bulman, 2:55:20.

Stage 13-Thetford to Feltwell, Phillip Cooper, 1:42:45.

Stage 14-Feltwell to Wissington, 8.8 miles, Dave Marks 1:16:04.

Stage 15-Wissington to Downham Market, 7.2 miles, Sarah Morter, 1:20:58.

Stage 16-Downham Market to Stowbridge, 5.49 miles, Jan King, 1:04:40.

Final leg 17-11.73 miles ran by RR Runner of the Year Chris Wade, 1:43:53.

Total time 27:26:27.

Other support members making it possible for us to compete were Sue Wells, Jean Edwards, Stuart Southgate, Jane Morris-Jones, John Woodhouse, Jo West, Steve Cole, Becky Rowley and Jenny Rowley. Overall we were 42 minutes off our predicted time.