Essex Cross Country – Chelmsford

Seniors

Colchester Harriers had strong results at the 2nd Essex Cross Country league fixture held at Hylands park Chelmsford. The ladies were again in good form finishing third on the day to maintain their push to win the league title they submitted last year. Sarah Stradling may be 41 but is still a class act and her third position, not only gave the Harriers team a great team result, but also earned her an Essex Inter Counties vest on the day. Backing Stradling up was Denise Morley 18th, Stacey Eyres 20th and final scorer Ella Neale 25th. The Harriers also secured a Veteran Ladies team runner up spot with Annette Oakman in 35th spot joining Stradling and Morley as the scorers and seem to have a fight with Springfield Striders for that title. Other Harriers ladies to finish were Vicky Presland 28, Andrea James 37, Tonie Wilson 70 and Becky Bjotter 97.

Ladies Team result top 4 1. Chelmsford 55, 2. Southend 55, 3. Colchester Harriers 66, 4. Orion Harriers 75.
Ladies Veteran results top 4. 1.Springfield 48, 2. Colchester Harriers 56, 3. Chelmsford 61, 4. Southend 91.

The men were looking classy with a fine runners up spot behind hosts Chelmsford AC. The ever improving Carwyn Jones gave a majestic performance in 8th spot in what was a very strong field. Backing Jones up was Angus Holford 11th, youngster Ramanda Osman 13th, Chris Sellens 17th, Colin Ridley 38th, Daz Faruggi 41st and final scorer Cameron Hunphries 47th. The veteran men strode to victory with Springfield Striders close behind

Other Harriers men to finish were Mark Harrod 52nd, Paul Rodgers 53rd, Paul Spowage 66th, Jon Nears 71st, Pete West 86th, Dan Foster 104th, Russell Goodridge 109th and Simon Morgan 149th.

Senior men team results top 4. 1. Chelmsford 95, 2. Colchester Harriers 164, 3. Springfield 176, 4. Havering Mayesbrook 195.
Veteran men results top 4. 1. Colchester Harriers 209, 2. Springfield 212, 3. Orion Harriers 288, 4. Thurrock Harriers 341.

Juniors

Danny Millward is a real talent and finished runner up in the under 15 event to gain Essex Selection, with Max Caulfield 5th also likely to be in the Essex team.
Milly Presland was 6th in the under 13 event so will hopefully be county selected, Alex Bell-Cobbald had a great debut 17th, as did Lois Gore 42nd and Emily McGill 49th, both of whom are under 11 runners.

In the under 13 boys event George Mann was 30th.

The under 15 girls continue to improve finishing 7th team with Lizzie Wood 22, Hannah Rodgers 40, Isabelle Minder 41 and Lily Waterson 44.

The under 17 men had a great turnout helping them to 3rd position on the day. Oscar Dawson lead the team home in 9th with Jake Young 19th, Drew Olley 21st and Fergus Crouch 24th the other scorers. Joseph Boden and Archie French backed the team up in 29th and 30th positions. In the under 17/under 20 women’s race Hannah Watson again ran strongly for 10th place (9th U17) with Emma Livingstone finishing 18th (14th U17). Both Oscar and Hannah finished just outside the Essex team selection places

Chelmsford Marathon

The Chelmsford marathon saw great runs by Malcolm Statham 3:08, Graham Langford 3:25 and Richard Millward 3:30.
Cameron Humphries won the Beckton Common park run in 17:53, while Wayne Cook ran 18:00 at Great Cornard for 5th spot. Anthony Barraclough was first of 300 at Colchester Castle clocking 18:23, Andy Raynor was 3rd and Simon Smith, Richard Boden and David Wright had top 10 finishes. Elsie Bilson is looking star material and won the ladies race in a personal best 19:50. New Signing Gemma Browne ran a fastest ever time of 23:06.

Other results

Madeline Claydon was first girl at the Colchester Junior park run, while Milly Presland was 2nd lady at the weeks previous Castle Park run.

The Venice marathon saw Craig Harley struggle in the last 10km but still clocked a commendable 3:50.
Kenny Walsh won the over 75 age group Middle distance Trail Championships held at Bishops Stortford over a 30 mile course.