The Harriers competed in the Essex Way Relay for the first time in many years and enjoyed the day in what is a great low key ten stage relay race held over 80 miles from Epping to Harwich. The A team finished second overall behind Springfield Striders with Allen Smalls and James Wright winning their legs and Nate Filer second despite veering off course. The ladies were fourth overall, a brilliant result by them after only deciding late to enter. Sarah Stradling and Rachel Rodgers, along with Louise Yates and Mellissa Dowell all ran good legs. The men’s B team finished an excellent 14th overall with Simon Miller, Kieron Callaghan and Craig Mitchell having fine runs.

Paul Mingay representing England at the UK Masters in Maidenhead was first over 60 with an amazing half marathon time of 1h 17m 40s. Paul Dellar ran in the  over 50 race clocking a personal best by over two minutes in 1h 24m 51s.

Gary Raynor won the over 60 award at the Takeley 10km finishing 42nd out of six hundred runners; it was his first trophy for four years after a long lay off with injury and illness.

The Clacton half marathon saw a good effort by the Harriers team of Jason Gunn, Simon Miller and Malcolm Statham to win the team prize. Malcolm Statham then ran 1h 17s at the Mersea 10 mile race in very hot weather.

Rachel Richardson-Wright was sixth veteran lady at the Bodmin Moor Triathlon in Cornwall.

Park run news. The last couple of weeks of park run results have seen notable runs by Harriers all over the county, Arthur Whiston, at 67 years old, received a 84.01% age rating after running 20m 32s at the Chelmsford event. Laura Shewbridge ran the fourth fastest time ever by a lady at Colchester Castle clocking 18m 51s to finish sixth overall. Shewbridge’s run was possibly the best ever as all the three previous times were recorded on earlier, easier Castle courses.

Recent other excellent park run times were

Colchester Castle: 1. Jason Gunn 2. Jon Nears 18m 06s, 7. Simon Ford 18m 59s, 10. Rob Cronshaw 19m 18s. 1. Laura Shewbridge 18m 51s, 2. Jordi Moat 21m 07s, 3. Rachel Dale 21m 40s, 4. Ellie Mayne 22m 18s, 5. Victoria Primner 22m 37s.

The previous week: 1. Ramadam Osman 16m 16s, 3. Richard Heath 18m 14s, 5. Ian Haw 18m 24s, 6. Jason Gunn 18m 26s, 7. Cameron Humphries 18m 36s, 8. Craig Mitchell 18m 42s, 9. Jon Nears 19m 03s. 1. Laura Shewbridge 19m 04s.

Colchester Highwoods: 1. Angus Holford 17m 10s, 2. James Wright 18m 55s, 9. Richard Flutter 21m 08s. 1. Alexandra Hennessy 22m 31s.

Maldon Promenade: 2. James Wright 17m 54s

Great Notley: 1. Tom Cresswell 18m 15s, 3. Colin Ridley 18m 35s.

Halden Park, Dorset:  Danny Millward 1st

Cudmore Grove, Mersea: 1. Milly Presland 21m 30s, 1. Angus Holford 16m 46s, 2. Chris Sellens 19m 09s, 3. Russell Goodridge 19m 56s.