Six Beccles and Bungay Harriers travelled to Nottingham on Saturday to compete in the National Cross-Country Championships at Wollaton Park.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Enya Calver-Brown and Elodie Whyte (middle of picture) wait anxiously on the start line for their U13 race. Picture by Gary Howe.Enya Calver-Brown and Elodie Whyte (middle of picture) wait anxiously on the start line for their U13 race. Picture by Gary Howe. (Image: Archant)

There was an excellent effort from all. It was a damp and drizzly day and the course was a tough and muddy one with some hills, many boggy patches and a couple of small streams to cross.

Conditions were not too bad at the start of the day and the Under 17 girls were the first to go off. Lucy Emmett was 83rd in 21.55 over the 5km course and Cara Howe was 230th. In the Under 20 women’s event, Lauren Howe had a good race and finished strongly in 60th position in a time of 26.41 over 6km.

In the Under 13 girls’ event, Harriers were represented by three young athletes. Grace Forster did well to finish in 64th place in a time of 14.24. For the other two it was their first National Championships. They did well to tackle the difficult conditions and complete the 3km course. Elodie Whyte came in 356th position with a time of 16.51 and Enya Calver-Brown was 461st in 19.31.

The previous Sunday saw the fourth round of the Suffolk Winter League at Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds. Five members took part in what is always a pretty and pleasant place to run. It was till a tough course through the trees and up and down the modest hills.

Lucy Emmett was highest placed junior runner and Brooke Oram was also up there. Commiseration go to Grace Forster who fell over during the second lap.

Juniors (2 miles): 20th Lucy Emmett (1st U17 Girl), 29th Brooke Oram (2nd U13 Girl), 37th Grace Forster (5th U13 Girl), 64th Cara Howe (2nd U17 Girl). Adults (5 miles): 99th Lynn Emmett (3rd Female 45+), 201st Gary Howe (10th Male 60+), 307th Judy Potter (1st Female 70+).

Beccles and Bungay Harriers currently train at Earsham playing field on Tuesday evenings and Beccles Rugby ground (Common Lane) on Thursday evenings, 6.45-8.15pm. In addition, the club are now running Sportshall Athletics (7-15years) at Bungay High School on Monday evenings from 6-7pm and at Sir John Leman High School, Beccles on Friday evenings 5-6pm. The cost of this is £1.50 per session and new juniors are welcome.