53-12 XC 30 Year Anniversary

Huge turn out for Harriers at Anniversary race

The 30th Anniversary race of the 53-12 Cross Country League (formerly the Today’s Runner League) was staged by Colchester Harriers at Abbey Fields where the original race was staged almost to the day in 1986. A record field of 418 seniors and 170 juniors took to the line on a cold but sunny morning.

The original race organizer Peter Bartlett started the race with a firework cascade. On the start line for the photos were over 20 of the runners from that very first race of which a dozen actually ran on the day. Colchester Harriers had a record turn out of 80 senior runners including most of the elite team who normally only run in the high quality Essex League fixtures.

Harriers surged to a crushing victory over rivals Ipswich Jaffa, the green vests first victory in the league since 2014. It was fitting that’s Essex’s and Colchester Harriers most consistent runner over the last 25 years Adrian Mussett and for the ladies the anchor of high quality long distance running Sarah Stradling both ran to easy victories.

Superb runs came from Angus Holford chasing Mussett home for 2nd spot and Laura Shewbridge for the ladies in 4th place. Helen Clarke in 91st spot was one of the returning runners from 1986 and was extremely pleased with her race after a 25 year lay off!

Top Harriers mens finishers 1. Adrian Mussett, 2. Angus Holford, 5. Chris Sellens, 6. Ramanda Osman, 9. Allen Smalls, 10. Andrew Jobling, 14 Dax Farrugia, 15 Paul Rodgers, 19. Danny Millward, 21. Richard Heath, 22. Mark Harrod, 23. Cameron Humphries, 25 Colin Ridley, 34 John Fryer.

Top Harriers Ladies Finishers 1. Sarah Stradling, 4. Laura Shewbridge, 6. Rebecca Cooke, 7. Denise Morley, 10 Ellie Mayne, 12. Amanda Henry, 13. Lisa Kingdom, 18. Annette Oakman, 22. Rachel Dale, 23. Rachel Taylor, 25. Andrea James.

Team Result Pool A 1. Colchester Harriers. 2. Ipswich Jaffa, 3. Harwich Roadrunners, 4. Witham Road runners 5. Springfield Striders,6. Great Bentley

Park Run

The latest two Colchester Park runs saw good results from the Harriers, the first had a field of 341 with Cameron Humphries first home for the green vests in 3rd spot with youngsters Max Caulfield 4th and Danny Millward 5th. Andy Raynor and Jon Nears were also in the top 10. Gemma Browne grabbed a top 3 place with Fran Norris 4th. The latest Castle park run saw a great win by Laura Shewbridge who was overall 12th in the field of 249, Anthony Barraclough was 2nd overall with Jon Nears 3rd and second claimer James Wright 4th, Cameron Humphries was 5th and Jamie Nelson 11th. Sara Wallace was 43rd overall in her first ever Park Run.

The early stages of the race with over 400 seniors taking part