The Harriers competed well in  a high quality Essex Senior Cross Country Championships held at Writtle College in cold but good conditions. The under 17 mens race saw a superb effort by the courageous Danny Millward who fought to the line for a county medal only to be beaten by a second for the bronze medal in a extremely good field. Thomas Palmer also ran very well for his 17th spot.

The under 20 men produced a surprise taking, the bronze team medals. It was the Harriers first ever team medals in this age group. Although not at his best, Ermeas Aferwerki led the team home in 14th position, with Joe Patterson 18th, Dominic Nicejewski 23rd and Dan Beard
26th in his first championship event.

The senior ladies were as competitive as ever taking the bronze team medals , with the new longer 10km distance suiting the Harriers distance runners. Aiko Hennington was in fine form finishing 16th with the green vests soon closing in with Andrea James 23rd, Denise Morley 26th and Helen Taczynski 27th. Just missing out on team medals were  Margaret Deasy 28th and Rebecca Cooke 30th. Then came Jordi Moat 45th, Jo Martin 53rd and Ella Neale 56th. The ladies B team were placed 8th.

The mens race saw one of the best ever quality races in the Essex Champs with most of the Essex elite running. Harriers did well to finish fourth against such stiff opposition. Ramadam Osman was top Harrier finishing in 7th spot; almost certain to win an Essex Vest for the Inter county team. With six to score Ramadam was joined by Ed Mitchell 14th, Nate Filer 31st, Chris Sellens 36th, Gavin Scanlon 56th and Allen Smalls 57. The B team finished 17th^h. They were Paul Rodgers 75th, Robbie Smith 85th,  Tim Ballard 103rd, Keith Marley 110th, Kevin Higgins 120th and Jerry Walder 139th. Harriers also finished a C team in 29^th spot, the team was Craig Mitchell 148th, Simon Ford 160th, Simon Morgan 173th, Andy Taczynski 182nd, Martin Claydon 198th and Kieran Callaghan 201st.

The Witham 5 mile race saw Ramadam Osman finish runner up in 25m 27s, Nate Filer made the top 10 in 27m 20s followed by five other athletes all breaking 30 minutes; Tom Cresswell 15th in 29m 06s, Paul Dobson 19th and Robert Smith 20th both clocking 29m 31s and Alex Sales 25th in 29m 52s. Paul Preston was 32nd in 30m 31s, Keith Marley 34th in 30m 52s, Tim Ballard 42nd in 31m 34s, Simon Ford 43rd in 31m 36s, Charlie Holohan 59th in 32m 41s (PB), Simon Morgan 100th in 34m 53s. Nicola Martell-Smith had a rare road run out in 35m 46s, Arthur Whiston clocked 35m 56s and Simon Miller 36m 21s.

At the Wymondham 10km Wayne Cook came 21^st out of 667 in a time of 37m 33s.

The best results from the round up of Park runs were.

Clacton sea front – On New Years Day Ramadam Osman broke the course record clocking 16m 07s. Richard Flutter was 7th in 19m 01s and Debbie Cattermole 22m 02s (PB). 

Dolgellau, Mid Wales – At the last parkrun of 2018 Becky Cooke was first lady home in 21m 22s. Just ahead of Becky were Chris Manby in 5th and David Wright in 6th.

The latest Colchester Castle Park run saw another win for Jason Gunn in 17m 38s, Fergus Crouch was third in 18m 30s, Ian Haw 4th in 18m 31s, Joe Boden 7th in 18m 51s, Richard Boden 12th in 19m 46s. It was a win double for the Harriers with Laura Shewbridge first lady home in 20m 07. There was a new record with 541 runners completed the 5k run.

Images courtesy of Zach Bridgeland/Wendy King from Chelmsford AC