Harriers men are Champions as records tumble

A great day for the Colchester Harriers at the final Essex Cross Country League fixture of the season held at Abbey Fields, Harriers wrapped up the men’s league title, the veteran men and veteran ladies titles and were a good third in the senior ladies competition, to complete their most successful season ever against top class opposition.

It was the perfect finish for Harriers with the legendary Adrian Mussett leading the green vests to victory and demolishing the field with an epic display of front running to win the race by over a minute, from his team mate and the most improved male in the last 12 months Carwyn Jones who is beginning to show real  quality and talent  Chis Sellens the Essex Marathon champion was 5th with the powerful army runner Daz Faruggia 7th, the team was completed by veterans Richard Heath 12th, and Colin Ridley 18th . The Harriers score of 45pts is awaiting confirmation of a record low score in the history of the league, a great tribute to the star filled men’s team Missing out on the team today but scoring well all through the league season were Allen Smalls 24, Mark Harrod 29, Paul Rodgers33, Jon Nears 38, and Pete West 46 who had a superb run to lift himself into the individual over 50 top 3 in  the final league placings. Other Harriers were Dan Foster 57, Russell Goodridge 58, Dan Marks 59, and Simon Morgan 85.

Mussett’s victory also helped the Colchester Veteran team to the league title and claim the men’s double the first time this has been achieved. The Veterans won all 5 matches, and retained last seasons trophy.

Results on day – Top 4 senior men teams

Final overall positions – Top 4 senior men teams

Results on day – Top 4 veteran men teams

Final overall positions – Top 4 veteran men teams

Ladies

Colchester Harriers ladies also had a successful league season, and only injuries stopped them from having a shout at winning the senior league. But the veterans retained their title in style coming through on the last fixture to pip Southend .Sarah Stradling had a excellent Cross Country season and was way ahead in her age group .Stradling was runner up on the day to lead the seniors to 3rd place and the veterans to 2nd spot.  With the final league placing’s seeing the seniors a fine 3rd overall and the Veterans regaining their title by 1 point from Southend AC. Rebecca Cooke continues to fire on all cylinders and was 10th, with Ella Neale having her best ever race and finish in 15th spot, beating her training partner Denise Morley 18th. Debbie Cattermole defies her age and was only one position off being in the scoring senior team in 19th, but was the final scorer for the Veterans team behind Stradling and Morley. Annette Oakman 22nd continues to run well, then came Rachel Taylor 25th, newcomer Sandra Fox 37th, Tonie Wilson 42nd, and Cathy Beard 55th.

Results on day – Top 4 ladies teams

Final overall positions – Top 4 ladies teams

Results on day – Top 4 veteran ladies teams

Final overall positions – Top 4 veteran ladies teams

Juniors

Fresh from their successes running for Essex at the Southern Schools Cross Country Championship the day before, Ziggy Lambton and Danny Millward produced great runs. Ziggy came a close second in the U13 boys race while Danny finished a fine 6th in a tight U15 race

For the under 13 girls it was a great debut by Milly Priestland in 12^th spot, followed by Madeline Claydon 28^th, and Amelia Dean 37^th. The improving Joseph Boden was 21^st in the under 15 event. Finally Beth Francis closed a successful day for the green vests in 6^th spot in the under 20 race.

Individual Winners

Over the season each runner counts their best 4 results (from 5 races) in an individual league. The following athletes received awards

Adrian Mussett – First overall and first V40

Colin Ridley – First V50

Pete West – Second V50

Sarah Stradling – First V35

Denise Morley – Second V45

Ziggy Lambton – Second U13