Essex League XC – One tree hill

Mussett still the Cross Country man to beat

Adrian Mussett may be a veteran runner but he is still far too good for all the younger runners who keep trying to edge him off the perch as the number one most consistent runner in Essex for over 25 years. Mussett engineered the tough One tree Hill course at Langdon Park with respect and came home the winner in 28-40, 9 seconds ahead of Grant Twist of Chelmsford AC. Chris Sellens 12th and Carwyn Jones 13th had an epic battle and a close finish, while the scoring 6 men team was completed by Colin Ridley 33rd (first over 50), mark Harrod 36th, and Ged McMillan back on good form in 38th. Other men to finish in the green vests were Paul Rodgers 53rd, Martyn Clarke 58th who was on top form, Pete West 66th, Russell Goodridge 84th, and Simon Morgan 125th. The team were runners up with 133 pts to winners Orion Harriers 108  pts, with Chelmsford AC 3rd with 161 pts.

The Ladies were an excellent 3rd team led by the ever young Denise Morley in 18th spot, Becky Cooke 20th, Andrea James 24th, and Annette Oakman 32nd were the other scorers with Ella Neale close behind in 40th. First 3 teams were Chelmsford AC 27, Southend AC 84 , Colchester Harriers 94.

Danny Millward had an excellent run 11th in the under 15 race although only 13,  fine efforts also came from Max Caulfield 23, and Joseph Bowden 31. In the under 13 boys Ziggy Lambton was 6th, and in the under 20 ladies it was 16th for Beth Francis.

Second Claim Harrier Angus Holden was a superb 17th at the top class Metropolitan League fixture at Woodford Green.