Mussett leaves young rivals in his wake to gain another victory

Colchester Harriers cross country season got off to a great start with Harriers talisman Adrian Mussett storming to victory over the tough One Tree Hill course at Langdon Hills Country Park. Although nearly 47, Mussett destroyed the much younger field with his normal front running style and helped Harriers to a good runners up position on the day. The green vests are hoping to achieve the double this year and win both the Essex and Ellisons Cross Country Leagues. The veteran men were also in the frame finishing third overall.

Mussett was backed up well by Ed Mitchell who was fifth, young Danny Millward 21st, Chris Sellens 27th, Victor Steinwand 41st and final scorer Paul Rodgers 44th. Other Harriers finishers were Gavin Scanlon 53th, Cameron Humphries 65th, Allen Smalls 72nd, Andy Lovelock 76th, Tim Ballard 101st, Chris Manby 141st, Richard Flutter 144th and Simon Morgan 172nd. Top 3 Men’s teams: 1. Havering AC 98pts, 2. Colchester Harriers 139pts, 3. Orion Harriers 174pts. Top 3 Veteran Men’s teams: 1. Orion Harriers 163pts, 2. Havering AC 175pts, 3. Colchester Harriers 185pts.

The Harriers ladies were also in cracking form finishing second in the senior ladies and the veteran categories. Sarah Stradling was the star of the day finishing in seventh place. Other scoring ladies were Denise Morley 14th, Rebecca Cooke 17th, Rachel Dale 26th, Debbie Cattermole 31st and Kate Gibson 50th. Top 3 ladies teams: 1, Havering AC 24pts, 2. Colchester Harriers 64pts, 3. Springfield Striders 100th. Top 3 Veteran ladies teams 1. Springfield Striders 48pts, 2. Colchester Harriers 52pts, 3. Orion Harriers 106pts.  

Milly Presland was an impressive fourth in the under 17 and under 20 ladies race with the another outstanding run from Alexandra Bell-Cobbold who was seventh in the under 15 girls race.

Other junior runners at One Tree Hill were Under 13 Girls: Alice Begg 34th, Under 13 Boys: Henry Rutland 22nd, Harrison Leek 25th, Finlay Greenleaf 26th, Under 15 Boys: Charlie Parmenter 39th. Under 15 Girls: Lizzie Wellsted 24th, Emily Henderson 33rd, Under 17 Ladies: Madeleine Claydon 13th, Under 17 Men: Thomas Colsell 17th.  

Mark McKeown ran a personal best 2h 42m 48s at the Chicago Marathon  , while nearer home it was a big disappointment for Simon Miller who after weeks of training for the Peterborough half marathon, saw the race cancelled due to a police incident with the very large field on the start line.

The Tiptree 10 saw Colchester Harriers win the team price by one second, with great runs coming from Paul Rodgers, Keith Marley, Colin Lewin,  Paul Dellar, Simon Ford, Lee Holihan, Will Radley,  Craig Mitchell and Arthur Whiston.

Paul Dobson although injured still managed to clock 1h 33m 26s at the Krakov half marathon in Poland. Rachel Richardson-Wright competed well  in the Holbrook Triathlon held in very windy conditions.

Russell Goodridge won the Mersea park run at Cudmore Grove in 20m 07s, with Chris Panton ninth. Colchester Castle saw Laura Shewbridge finish fourth overall in a field of 380 runners and was easily the first lady in a superb time of 19m 17s, Jordi Moat was runner up in 21m 04s. Ian Haw was second for the men in 19m 08s with Rob Cronshaw third in 19m 15s, Sean Duffett at last beat the 20 minute barrier finishing sixth in 19m 42s, John Fryer ninth in 19m 56s and Ian Jeffries 12th in 20m 02s. David Wright just crept into the top 20 in 21m 05s.  .