Despite a change in importance, the Broadland Half Marathon still managed to attract enties from across the country.

The event had to change date to accommodate last month's Norwich Half Marathon and, with marathon dates for Paris, Brighton and Bungay next week and London the week after,, it is no longer the region's pre-marathon season warm-up race.

However, Sunday's race was blessed with near perfect spring weather and, together with sponsorship for the first time by club member and EDP columnist Philippa Rudd and her fellow partners at Cozens Hardy LLP, the race boasted a pleasing near normal entry of almost 300 runners.

The start was about the only time most of the competitors saw City of Norwich runner Andrew Jones who stamped his authority on the event from the off to storm round in a competitive 1:14.55 for the scenic and undulating course. He finished six minutes 16 seconds clear of Newmarket Jogger Matthew Jack.

Unaffiliated runner Michael Eccles completed the 1, 2, 3.

In distance running, age is no barrier to noteworthy performances as shown by Running Centre proprietor Pete Johnson.

He finished fifth overall and won the 50-59 age group in a time of 1:23.59.

Great Yarmouth RRC perennial Richard Blake showed his consistent pace has not diminished, completing the course four seconds faster than in 2010 with 1:29.23 to win the 60+ age category. He finished just a few strides ahead of the first woman, Sophie Grant from London Club Serpentine Runners.

Grant had a dominant event, winning the women's race by more than five minutes from Karen Doak and Wymondham AC's Tanya Crofts.