Athletes from the City of Norwich AC were determined not to let the seasonal festivities encroach too much into their competitive programme.

Ashley Harrell and Stuart Huntington travelled to Clitheroe, Lancashire on Boxing Day to take part in the Ribble Valley 10km Road Race.

The race has a reputation for producing fast times and so it proved.Harrell, in his words, was feeling a bit sluggish, but posted a personal best time of 30:18 when finishing in 11th position.

Huntington, not far behind, also clocked a personal best time, crossing the line in 30:45 for 20th place.

In the City club's history only Guy Amos has recorded a faster 10km time, so Harrell and Huntington are looking to rewrite the record book in the not too distant future.

For others on Boxing Day their race destination was nearby Bungay.

Competing in the 'Groggy Doggy' 5 mile cross country race Olivia Walwyn-Bush, Ruth Senior and Ruth Proctor filled the first three places in the ladies' race while James Senior took the men's race in comfortable fashion.

Super veteran Jane Clarke and Ellie Matthews contested the Ely 10km Road Race on New Year's Eve.

Jane, in the O50 category, is currently proving impossible to beat and won in a time of 38:34.

Ellie was fourth lady overall in 37:54, but was a little disappointed with her performance as she fell just short of creating a personal best by three seconds.

A trio of the club's field event specialists were also in competitive mood, travelling to Ipswich on New Year's Eve to participate in the 'Winter Wonderwhirl' throws competition.

Callum Brown and Michael Painter both produced winning performances in their respective Under-20 6kg hammer events.

Brown recorded a fine effort of 66.39m while Painter moved his hammer out to 64.73m.

Olivia Walwyn-Bush made it a festive double when she was comfortably the first lady home in the Wymondham 10km road race on New Year's Day.

Her time of 36:05 helped the club's senior ladies, which included Ellie Mathews and Nicky Alford, take the team title. The club's ladies scored a notable double when Louise Wilkinson, Sabine Spence and Sue Cooke were team winners in the veteran category.

The coming weekend will see many of the club's endurance athletes competing in the Norfolk County-Cross Country Championships being staged at Barnham Common Thetford on Sunday.