A sizeable herd of 26 Gazelles turned up for the traditional New Year's Day 10K at Wymondham, some no doubt nursing hangovers. Amazingly, 8 achieved a PB, led by James Fowler, first Gazelle home in 38:26.

Great results from Theresa Dooley, first lady (3:22:40), and Helen Mian, third lady (3:42:50), at the Snetterton Race Track Marathon. Note, these are not age category placings, these are overall race placings. Both are substantial PBs, on a windy day not suited to PBs. Great to see Ian Thomas back doing a marathon, as well (what he would think of as a 'fun run'). He was first Gazelle in, a few seconds ahead of Theresa, in 3:22:29. Ten Gazelles ran the half marathon, with first Gazelle in being John Moore in 1:23:05 (1st 50-59). Ceri Theobald set a new PB of 1:48:03.

The rescheduled race over the old undulating course was run on a pleasant mid-Autumn’s morning, with 14 Gazelles taking part. Gazelles were well represented at all age groups, but particularly to the fore were Theresa Dooley first W45, Helen Mian first W50 and Jason Brunt first M45. Also collecting an unprecedented (for him) memento from the prize-giving was Tom Townsend 3rd M55.

An impressive 33 Gazelles turned out for the Holt 10K, the final race in the Sportlink Grand Prix series for 2018, run in beautiful autumn sunshine. First home was Alan Hume in a time of 37:14. There were age category wins for John Moore and Anne Ellen (who astonishingly managed yet another PB, on an undulating course which doesn't really lend itself to PBs). Sarah Knapp also secured a new PB.

A little group of Gazelles headed over to Amsterdam for the marathon and half marathon. In the marathon, Louise Hurr (3:30) and Amelia Whiting (3:43) both got big PBs, while Phil Whiting was again agonisingly close to the sub-3 mark with a time of 3:04. It will happen soon! In the HM, Karen Rix still managed to get her target time despite falling quite badly early on and hurting her knee.

Jason Brunt was the only Gazelle at the Chelmsford Marathon, running a time of 3:09:14.

Amsterdam and Chelmsford weren't the only marathons featuring Gazelles at the weekend - there was also Abingdon, where Jeremy Rogers ran a startlingly brisk 2:46:29.

Gazelles earned another set of awards at the East Coast 10K. Elaine Hudson took first in the F60 category, while Theresa Dooley was first F45, with a new PB of 42:54. Nigel Arnold was 2nd M60 and Tom Townsend 3rd M55.

Despite heavy rain, some good times were achieved at the Peterborough Half Marathon, aka 'Perkins Great Eastern Run'. Carol Betts was first F60 in 1:52:58 and John Moore first M55 in 1:20:04 (although at the time of writing, the 23 year old Chris Darling of C&C is down as first M55, which will come as a surprise to him). Lee Oxbury set a new PB of 1:41:47.

Ideal running conditions, cool and not much wind, helped bring some good times at the Bure Valley Harriers 10 mile race at Banningham, north Norfolk, a nice course along very quiet country lanes. Louise Hurr won her age category with a PB time of 1:14:55. There were also PBs for Phil Whiting, Matthew Collier (2nd in his age group), Sarah Knapp, Jason Black, Justine Davenport, Paul Cottrell, Stephen Terry, Jo Ross and Estelle Corner. Theresa Dooley was 2nd in her age group, and Chris Moore and Pete Thompson 3rd in theirs. First Gazelle home was John Moore, in 1:00:32.

Jason Brunt managed an impressive 5th place in the 50 mile long Ladybower race in the Peak District, in a time of 7 hours 37 minutes. That was a PB for the 50 miles distance of over 15 minutes. (Who has 50 mile PBs, for goodness sake?)