The initiative was the idea of race director Leona McConnell and course director Leigh Nobes, who is farm manager at MacGregor Farming Partnership on whose land the race took place, starting and finishing at Whitwell & Reepham Station on Sunday 26 January,

Reepham Runners is a small, inclusive running club that has been active for several decades and is growing in membership, as well as having an interest in supporting local incentives and sustainability.

The club hosts two races each year and is encouraging other running clubs in Norfolk to reduce plastic at their events.

In collaboration with Trees Not Tees, Reepham Runners gave each runner that completed the cross country race an individual tree with a QR code showing where it has been planted.

“The cost of a tree is equivalent to that of a medal but it feels so much more than that, as it is a contribution to nature and the future,” said Ms McConnell.

The decision to replace medals with tree plantings did not appear to reduce the number of entrants for the race, and was greeted with applause on the start line of the event, which is renowned for mud and supportive marshals, and in which 12 junior runners (11−16 years) also participated.

This year 144 trees will be planted. Some of the proceeds from the race will also go towards Reepham & District Rotary Club’s Sunshine Memory Café for those living with memory loss and their carers.

Compostable cups were used at the race finish line for water and these will be given to a local school for seedlings or another gardening activity. Runners were also reminded that they could bring their own drinks, leaving them at the start/finish line for collection.

The only plastic items used at the event were the race numbers. However, next year, with support from the owner of Total Race Timing, who is a club member, unused race numbers from other events will be used to further reduce the impact on the environment.

“I wanted to share this story to show how small changes can generate big results,” Ms McConnell added. “We are so proud of what we have achieved in a short space of time, and we aim to strive to do better each year.”

The Reepham Summer 10K will be held on Friday evening, 1 August and plans to be as plastic free as possible. Entries are now open online.

For any comments, feedback or information on joining Reepham Runners, please contact by email.

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Training will take place once a week from 10 am at Stimpson’s Piece, off Bartle Court, Reepham. The cost is £10 for the for nine-week programme.

The aim is to introduce beginners to running in a safe and enjoyable way. The programme is designed for all abilities and after nine weeks you will be ready for your first Park Run at Blickling.

For more details, contact Mike Jolly 07831 416325 or email

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Left to right: Andy Hawes, Pippa Crosby, Steve Plackett, Phil Cooper, Andy Ritchings and Nick Bowden by Loch Ness, Scotland. (Sam Kingston was also with them, taking the photo.) Image: supplied

Mr Bowden and some friends had planned to run across Scotland, from Inverness to the Isle of Sky, in August 2017. This was with no support, with the runners carrying everything they needed with them and staying in B&Bs each night.

They decided to have the run sponsored and, as suggested by Mr Adcock, to raise money for the Priscilla Bacon Lodge, where Ms Arthurton had died. As part of this a pot was put on the bar in the King’s Arms, Reepham, for donations.

Each year on behalf of Reepham Runners, Mr Bowden organises a charity Cross Country Run from Whitwell & Reepham Station. This last took place on Sunday 14 January and attracted the biggest field ever, with the proceeds split between the Priscilla Bacon Lodge and the Nancy Oldfield Trust.

From the sponsorship for the run across Scotland and the cross country event a total of £700 was raised for the Priscilla Bacon Lodge.

A further £1,000 raised from the Cross Country Run was presented to the Nancy Oldfield Trust, which provides sailing and boating opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people who would not otherwise be able to get afloat on the Broads.

Mr Bowden thanked the clientele of the King’s Arms and Reepham Runners for all their support in helping achieve these amounts for the charities.

Reepham Runners is a local running club for all levels of ability, holding informal runs and structured training sessions. As well as the Cross Country Run it also organises a Summer 10k, which this year will take place on Friday 10 August. More details can be found on Reepham Runners website.

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Set across multi-terrain and taking in the quiet country lanes and Marriott’s Way this 10-km course is suitable for all abilities. The race starts at 10 am in Smugglers Lane, Reepham, and finishes at Stimpson’s Piece.

This year the event has a main sponsor in Panther Brewery, along with a host of other local businesses, including Norfolk Country Cottages, Felthorpe Lawnmower Services, The Chimes Bed & Breakfast, The Kings Arms, Reepham Life, Sportlink and Duff Morgan.

This friendly local event is popular amongst runners, but also attracts people who want to experience multi-terrain for the first time or who just fancy a nice morning run with like-minded people.

Changing/shower facilities are available as are tea, cake and refreshments. All finishers will receive a medal and a goody bag packed with treats.

Online entries HERE

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Baz Hipwell showing his love of mud

This is an annual event organised by Reepham Runners to raise money for charity. This year the money raised (£400) is going to BBC Children in Need.

The course is two laps that goes along Marriott’s Way before heading off across a swamp, followed by a stream (to wash the mud off), back on Marriott’s Way and then off at Blackwater Bridge and into the water meadows around Eades Mill. In these meadows there is a ditch to cross and another stream with a bridge to go under. One lap is approximately five kilometres.

There were juniors (under 15), with the youngest being 11, who did one lap, and a dog called Dexter, who completed two laps.

Prizes were not only given to the first three males, females and juniors, but also to the muddiest, first dog and “last but not least”. Baz Hipwell won the muddiest, which he has won every year he has entered.

The first male was Jake Stearman, who completed the course in 39:07; second was Richard Johnson in 39:41; and third James Beadle in 40:09.

The first female was Sarah Peachey in 46:40; second was Ellie Bye in 47:42; and third Carol Devlin in 49:01.

The first junior was Grace Jermy in 23:49; second was Erin McNulty in 24:16; and third Jenson Devlin in 24:19.

Thanks to all the Reepham Runners who gave up their Sunday morning to marshal, especially Jon Beverly, who kindly used his chip timing (total race timing); Leigh Nobes and Duncan and Mary MacGregor for use of the fields; and Whitwell Station, who allowed us to use their facilities and hopefully not leave them too muddy and smelly.

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