The weekend saw members of Beccles and Bungay Harriers compete in four separate cross-country competitions with outstanding success in all of them.

On Saturday the Norfolk XC Championships took place at Colney, near Norwich.

Seven members of the club took part with particular success for Luke Spear, who won the boys U17 age group (time 18.17); Will Simm (9:13) who was second in the U13 and Lynn Emmett who won the veterans over 45 age group.

There were also good runs for Nick Saunders (6:49) who was 13th in the U11 age group; Finn Spear (9:42) who was ninth in the U13 boys age group Lucy Emmett (12.14) and Tallulah Lebon (12:16) who were 10th and 11th respectively in the U15 girls age group.

Saturday also saw the Suffolk contingent of the club compete in the Suffolk Schools County A race at Leiston. Out of the nine junior club runners who took part Lauren Howe did extremely well to finish first in her age group. There were good runs too for Grace Forster, Cara Howe, Jessica Sparkes, Benn Walker, Nicky Sparkes and Tommie Williams who all beat the cut to go through to the next round at Culford on January 15.

On Sunday the hardier members took part in the Suffolk Winter League XC at Woodbridge.

This is the second of a county series of cross-country races which are famous for extremes of water and mud!

Three juniors and five seniors took part again with success. Lucy Emmett led the junior girls’ team home (11-16 years) over the 2.3 miles course and came in 29th with a time of 16:03. Cara Howe was 40th (17:16) and Alice Collyer was 55th (20:13).

Benn Walker was the first senior runner home in the 5.5-mile course and was 45th with a time of 36:13.

Lynn Emmett was 60th (second female); Lauren Howe 98th (fifth female); John White 132nd (41:25) and Judy Potter 253rd. The cakes and tea afterwards made it all worthwhile!

Finally some members also took part in the Horsford Series Round Two. Of particular note was the performance of the Woods family who stole most of the top places. 11&U Boys, first Laurie Woods (16:06), second Nicholas Woods (19:19); 13&U Girls first Izzy Woods (29:55).

Congratulations to club members who have been picked to run for their counties next week in the Inter-Counties Championships at Oxford.

Representing Suffolk are Tommie Williams, Benn Walker, Lauren Howe and Cara Howe. Representing Norfolk are Will Simm, Luke Spear, Finn Spear, Laurie Woods, Lucy Emmett, Izzy Woods and Lynn Emmett.

Suffolk Schools Results: Minor Girls 18th Grace Forster (13:20); Junior Girls, 30th Cara Howe (14:40), 55th Holly Walker (16:1), 58th Alice Collyer (16:34); Senior Girls, 1st Lauren Howe (14:55); Inter Girls 34th Jessica Sparkes (17:57); Inter Boys, 25th Benn Walker (20:08), 30th Nicky Sparkes (20:28); Senior Boys, 14th Tommie Williams.