Colchester Harriers were invited to participate in the National 12 Stage Road Relays earlier this month. Travelling to Sutton Park, near Birmingham alongside team manager Richard Pickering were; Ed Mitchell, Adrian Mussett, Ramadam Osman, Clive Thomas, Nate Filer, Doug Mc Gillivray, Chris Sellens, Jon Nears, Colin Ridley, Keith Marley, Paul Rodgers, Alex Sales.  Top class opposition saw our chaps finish 41st beating Billericay, who were the only other Essex team to compete.

Little Bromley was the venue for this years Essex Championships 10k event. Colin Ridley, in a time of 35m 2s took the V50 gold, with the mens team taking a spot of glory too.

Debbie Cattermole and Richard Flutter were both successful winners for their age categories at The Victoria & Tower Hamlets 5 mile. Richard was also 1st Vet at The Olympic Park 5k. Great to see Martyn Clark racing at this venue too, a time of 39m 16s saw Clarke take the Vet 55 crown and finish 23rd overall.

And so, it was on to London. Having endured a winter of harsh training, which saw most of the elements thrown at all except sunshine! Fifteen green vests travelled to Blackheath, on what was to be the hottest day of the year so far. Producing a time of 2:47:49 was Allen Smalls, finishing 5th in his age category. All did extremely well to run and finish in the punishing conditions of the day. Nate Filer, Ged McMillan, Sean Ketteridge, Colin Ridley, Richard Flutter, Keith Marley, Richard Millward, Melissa Dowell, Clive  Thomas, Natasha Rice.

Maldon 5k series has opened, with Harwich to follow. The Ekiden relays not to far in the distance, so hopefully a fruitful summers racing from the endurance runners is to be had.