Colchester Half Marathon

Mussett in a different class

A cold but fine sunny day greeted the 2500 runners at the Colchester half marathon, a brisk wind kept the runners out of the comfort zone, but good times were seen as the finishers crossed the line at the Community stadium.

Colchester Harriers Adrian Mussett is a one off, age seems no barrier for the Harriers Talisman, although well into his 40s the most successful and consistent runner that Colchester has ever produced continues to suprise. His incredible fast start meant the race was over at the mile marker and by the finish Mussett was over 3 minutes clear of his nearest foe Blair McWhirter of Ilford AC. Mussett clocked an astonishing 1:09:53, and was obviously first Veteran as well as senior champion. Harriers closed in the winning team as Mussett was joined by Richard Heath 8th 1:16:36, Mark Harrod 9th 1:17:16 (Pb) , and Ged McMillan 10th 1:17:34.  Paul Rodgers went under 1:20 for the first time coming home 18th in 1:19:57, while another personal best came from Martyn Clarke 1:25:15 49th, and Glenn Doel was 42nd in 1:24:34. Other best ever times came from Mark Penson 1:28:47, Dan Marks 1:31:22, Richard Millward 1:33:57, Rachel Dale 1:35:38, and Jackie MaClannan 1:38:08.

Sarah Stradling was runner up in 1:21:26  and was 26th overall in the race, with Laura Shewbridge 3rd lady and nearly clocking a personal best passing the line in 1:28:04 78th. Both girls had run for the Essex team that had come 4th in the Inter Counties Cross Country in Birmingham the previous day.

Other Harriers to finish were Keith Marley 1:27:53, Simon Smith 1:28:03, Wayne Cook 1:28:15, David Wright 1:29:11, Clive Thomas 1:29:25, Andrew Dagge 1:30:17, Ian Haw 1:31:33, Darren Horner 1:34:10, Arthur Whiston 1:36:30, John Cottis 1:38:31, Paul Barritt 1:39:39, Joanne Martin 1:40:28, Malcolm Statham 1:45:01, Anita Mussett 1:46:12,  Becky Bjotter 2:12:00, Fay Smalls 2:18:22, and Rachel Rodgers 2:18:55.