It was another successful weekend for Colchester Harriers’ athletes, following up their cross-country triumph the previous week with strong performances at the two big road races to take place in the region.

Laura Shewbridge was first woman home at the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon, clocking 1:29:15 to go under 90 minutes for the first time in five years as she finished more than two minutes clear of her closest rival.  Jay Waite ran a personal best (PB) 1:21:33 to finish ninth overall and first V50, Wayne Cook was second V50 in 1:23:59, Jake Darkins ran 1:24:46 (PB) on his debut for the club, Gary Licence 1:32:23 (PB) with Matt Thomas, hampered by a calf injury, coming home in 1:44:12.

Meanwhile at the Norwich 10K Adrian Mussett was once again rolling back the years to cross the line first V50 and fourth overall in 32:54 with Sarah Stradling running 43:18 to finish fourth in the V45 category.

In parkrun action there was a hattrick of first finishes for Colchester’s women with Jennifer Lovelock first woman over the line at Marks Hall in a PB of 18:58, Emma Burgess clocking 20:58 at Colchester Highwoods and Victoria Primmer running 19:41 to take the honours across town at Colchester Castle.