More than 200 runners from all over East Anglia took to the Bure Valley Railway to run the nine miles from Aylsham to Wroxham as part of North Norfolk Beach Runners' Chase the Train event on Sunday.
On e perfect late spring morning, first to reach Wroxham Station in a fantastic time of 53:34 was City of Norwich Athletic Club's Jan Kaiser who put in a strong run to finish nearly a minute and a half ahead of Coltishall Jaguars' Andy Mulligan and his own club mate, John Scoggins.
Not far behind this trio, the Beach Runners' Felicity Quinn showed great form to finish as first lady in fourth place with an amazing time of 56:28, a course record.
MORE: Brilliant Callum races away to claim opening win at Wroxham 5K seriesAltogether the home club had 38 members finishing the course with some great performances from John Fagan, Nick Slade, Ed Rawlings and Dean Howard who finished just outside the hour mark.
But it was a couple of the Beach Runners' senior members who found themselves in the prizes. Club chairman Clive Hedges continued his renewed form by winning the 55-59 age group whilst just a few seconds behind Gary Linder took first place amongst the over 60s.
After the race most of the runners were able to get on trains specially provided by the Bure Valley Railway to return to Aylsham, although some bravely decided that they should run back. One runner had run to Aylsham from Great Plumstead and was planning to run home from Wroxham, a round trip of about 35 miles.
MORE: Love running? Join the Run Anglia Facebook group hereRace director Jeremy Bolam was delighted with a hugely successful day, in particular the support of sponsors Arnolds Keys, the local police, the Bure Valley railway and numerous Beach Runners who gave up their Sundays to assist at the event.
All profits from the event, which are expected to be around £2,000, will go the Stroke Association, along with the £4,000 raised from the Cromer Boxing Day dip.
The Cromer club has been keen to support this great charity after Andy Kett, one of its most popular members, suffered a stroke during a 50 mile race last autumn.
Andy is currently working hard on his recovery and has been well supported by the Stroke Association.
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