With several road races having been cancelled recently due to snow and ice, members of Wymondham AC were keen to test their fitness in the Norfolk Gazelles Valentine 10k event.

With several road races having been cancelled recently due to snow and ice, members of Wymondham AC were keen to test their fitness in the Norfolk Gazelles Valentine 10k event.

The race attracted a quality field and although the temperature was still low, running conditions were good and competitors produced some excellent times.

Paul Higham (NRR) was first to reach the finish line in 33:48, closely followed by Wayne Utting (CONAC) in 33:53. First female finisher was Nicky Alford (CONAC) in 39:57.

Placed 11th overall in the strong field of well over 200 competitors and first runner home for Wymondham AC was Phil Waity. At just 17 he is one of WAC's promising youngsters.

He had an impressive run, reducing his personal best time over that distance to 37:12. Graham Coleman, constantly improving, also ran a PB time finishing in 46:15.

An individual prize went to Andy Preston. Andy, who thought he had not raced enough recently and felt 'off the boil' managed to produce an excellent performance. His time of 38:15 placed him first in the highly competitive M40 category.

Richard White produced again a solid, well paced run finishing in 38:53. Terry Epps, who had barely recovered from running a Half-Marathon a week ago, finished strongly in 39:57. In the M65 age group, Mike Smith (H) and Louis Cooper both ran well, finishing in 49:16 and 54:58 respectively.

In the ladies race, an individual trophy went to Sharon Hurren. Sharon, only recently recovering from an injury, ran particularly well. Her time of 43:29 placed her fourth female overall, was a new personal best time and she was presented with the trophy for first Senior in the race.

The only other female WAC competitor was Louise Slaughter who also ran a PB time, finishing in 53:54.

On the same day, four members of Wymondham AC chose to battle over 9k of rough ground in the popular cross country event at Shouldham Warren. Robert Scarfe, one of WAC's most experienced cross country runner, and Gerry Watson produced solid runs finishing well up in their age groups.

However, it was the women who walked off with winning trophies. Kim Reader and Eva Osborne, both thriving on mud and tough ground, picked up individual prizes for finishing third W35 and third W55 respectively.

The annual Wymondham 20 mile road race will take place on Sunday, March 7. For details and entry forms visit www.wymondhamac.org.uk