Even by his own standards Colchester Harriers Allen Smalls ran an epic race at the Madeira Island ultra trail run over 115km and 4,700m climb of mountainous terrain with the added problem of a midnight start. With a lot of the worlds best ultra runners on the start line it was a top class affair and Smalls stuck solidly to the task, moving up from 472nd position early on to reach Rosairo roughly the end of the first Marathon in 352nd spot. At 81km roughly two marathons Smalls continued to climb well to Chao Da Lagona and up to 236th, finally reaching the finish at Machico at 115km (71 miles) in 222nd place and 9th over 50, just before midnight in 23 hours and 38 minutes.  A superb effort.

At a windy Great Yarmouth three Harriers competed in the East Coast Sprint Triathlon, Sergio Azon-Bellare was second overall. a fine performance, Nicola Martell-Smith was second female, while Ella Neale was first in her age category.

The London Marathon saw some excellent times, Nate Filer 2h 40m10s, James Wright 2h 56m 36s, Paul Rodgers 2h 59m 30s, Clive Thomas 2h 59m 47s, Paul Dellar 3h 12m 38s, Jerry Walder 3h 16m 32s, Marie Shirley 3h 17m 44s, Jay Waite 3h 27m 19s, Daniel Summersgill 3h 27m 20s, Malcolm Statham 3h 36m 03s, Kevin Stevens 3h 37m 01s, Doug O’Neill 3h 43m 57s, Adam Gerrish 3h 51m 00s, Rachel Dale 4h 05m 39s, Samantha Hart 4h 19m 38s, Jamie Nelson 4h 23m 15s, Gary Licence 4h 29m 46s,  Louise Yates 5h 00m 05s, Kate Gibson 5h 00m 10s.   

Round up of Park run best results:

Colchester Castle Men – 1. Jason Gunn 17m 23s, 3. Jon Nears 18m 04s, 7. Ian Jeffries 19m 32s, 15. Sean Duffett 20m 21s. Ladies – 2. Ellie Mayne 21m 45s. 

Colchester Highwoods Men – 4. Alex Sales 19m 50s, 5. Andy Raynor 20m 49s, 6. Kevin McAlinden 20m 58s, 13. David Wright 21m 49s (new over 60 course record).  Ladies – 1. Denise Morley 21m 56s (new over 45 lady course record).

Mersea Island, Cudmore Grove Men – 1. Ned Messer 22m 00s.

Great Notley Country Park, Men – 7. Tim Ballard 19m 58s, 8. Russell Goodridge 19m 59s.

Dolgellau Mid Wales Ladies – 3 Rachel Richardson-Wright 33m 02s.

Navan (Ireland) 13 April Men – 11. Kieran Callaghan 23m 43s.