Colchester Harriers Athletics Club mixed it with some of the biggest athletics clubs in the country as they recorded a string of impressive performances in the British Masters Virtual 5K championships.

The event, usually held annually at Sutton Park in Birmingham, but organised on a virtual basis this year with competitors completing 5K runs on their own (or in small groups), attracted a top quality national field of over 4,000 runners, raising over £12,000 for charity in the process.

Harriers entered 10 teams across different categories with their M55 A team leading the way – the trio of Paul Mingay (17:05), Colin Ridley (17:23) and Paul Spowage (18:25) finishing second to a very strong Leicester team, with 63 year old Mingay’s time the second best recorded in his age group.  The M45 A team comprising Adrian Mussett (15:57), Richard Heath (16:53), Jon Nears (16:54) and Allen Smalls (17:39) also challenged strongly for honours, eventually being pipped for third place by Aldershot, Farnham and District by just one second, with Mussett’s time the sixth fastest recorded in his age group.  Top 20 results were also recorded by the M35 team (13th), W55 team (14th) and W45 team (17th).  Full results can be found below.

Meanwhile the club also organised its latest virtual competition to keep athletes engaged and motivated during the lockdown period.  The “Pentathlon event” involved athletes having to complete five timed runs over 400m, 800m, 1,000m, 1,500m and 2,000m with their combined time taken to decide overall placings.  24 athletes completed all five events with Heidi Steele coming out on top of the women’s competition, Jennifer Lovelock finishing second and Ellie Cumner third.  The men’s event saw Max Caulfield take the prize, with Jerry Walder second and Dan Cook third.

BRITISH MASTERS RESULTS:

Men 35-44 A – 13th position:  Nate Filer (16:19), Daniel King (16:32), Mark McKeown (16:36), Chris Sellens (17:02), Dan Widdowson (17:04), Dominic King (17:14).  Men 35-44 B – 38th: Edward Mitchell (17:38), Andrew Lovelock (17:47), Jason Gunn (17:55), James Wright (17:55), Gavin Scanlon (18:33), Mark Howard (18:34).  Men 45-54 A – 4th: Adrian Mussett (15:57), Richard Heath (16:52), Jonathan Nears (16:54), Allen Smalls (17:39).  Men 45-54 B – 24th: Kevin Higgins (17:43), Paul Rodgers (17:46), Jay Waite (18:08), Jerry Walder (18:12).  Men 45-54 C – 78th: James Waterson (18:27), Keith Marley (18:29), Richard Flutter (21:12), Simon Morgan (22:45). Men 55-64 A – 2nd: Paul Mingay (17:05), Colin Ridley (17:31), Paul Spowage (18:25).   Men 55-64 B – 33rd: Peter West (18:51), Chris Stevenson (20:37), William Haining (21:32).

Women 35-44 A – 29th position: Sarah Stradling (18:55), Alexandra Hennessey (21:34), Tina Southgate (21:34), Helen Taczynski (22:44).  Women 45-54 – 17th: Denise Morley (19:34), Annette Oakman (21:32), Kate Sandercock (21:59). Women 55-64 – 14th: Debbie Cattermole (22:24), Fran Norris (23:48), Susan Waller-Toyne (24:01).