This weeks busy road running round up
Adrian Mussett, although 47, continues to inspire younger runners. The Veteran runner won the high quality Grand East Anglian 10km Run in Kings Lynn in a superb time of 32m 46s, yet again leaving the field in his wake. Anita Mussett clocked a good 48m 04s.
At the tough Halstead Marathon it was team silver medals for the Green vests, Nate Filer 2h 40m, James Wright 2h 52m, Chris Manby 3h 11m, with his first ever Essex medal, who took the honours. Nate Filer was third overall and so took the Essex individual bronze medal while James Wright’s eighth position saw him awarded the veteran men over 40 silver medal. Graham Langford ran 3h 41m, Malcolm Statham completed his 214th Marathon in 3h 38m while Peter Jones was pleased with 3h 21m. Will Radley suffered near the end but still clocked 3h 13s.
The Colchester 10km saw a 1, 2, 3, for the Harriers with Mark McKeown 34m 48s outpacing Jason Gunn 34m 55s for victory, while teammate Doug McGillivrey 35m 01s was third. The ladies had a 1, 2 with Aiko Hennington 38m 54s winning from the up and coming Heidi Steele 40m18s. Kevin Higgins was first over 45 in 37m 25s, and Keith Marley first over 50 also in 37m 25s. Arthur Whiston was first over 65 in 43m 44s, Pete West first over 55 in 37m 36s, Victor Steinward first under 18 in 37m 19s, Annette Oakman first over 45 44m 19s and Madeline Claydon first under 18 female 46m 58s. Harriers took both team prizes.
Other Harriers to finish were Andy Jobling 36m 44s, Cameron Humphries 37m 00s, Barry Frost 37m 39s, Rob Cronshaw 39m 00s, Jerry Walder 39m 03s, Ben Halls 39m 26s, Sean Duffett 41m 21s, Simon Morgan 42m 14s, John Hennington 42m 16s, Ian Rattray 42m 41s, Dan Wilkinson 42m 57s, Dan Cook 43m 49s, Alexandra Hennessy 44m 00s, Martin Claydon 44m 42s, James Plant 46m 33s, Pat Marsh 47m 50s, Kate Gibson 48m 24s, Natasha Rice 51m 20s, Brian Smith 52m 52s and Stefan Hogan 54m 26s.
Tom Cresswell ran a fine race to finish runner up at the Heritage off road Marathon, Richard Heath won the half marathon event, while Helen Thurlow also ran well in the same event.
The first Eastern Masters track and field league meeting at Bury St Edmunds saw a brilliant performance by the Harriers masters, with the ladies first overall and the men second. This gave Harriers overall first place beating Southend AC into second place. Full marks to team manager Paul Preston for masterminding Harriers Veterans first ever victory in this league.
At the Witham May Day 10 Heidi Steele is really getting back to her best with a run of 66m 27s to finish runner up while Annette Oakman was third over 45 in 73m 03s. Jason Gunn was third man in 56m 49s while Colin Ridley was sixth and first veteran over 50 in 59m 40s. Others to finish were William Radley 61m 03s, Keith Marley 62m 20s, Paul Dellar 65m 34s, Richard Flutter 68m 01s, Simon Wilson 70m 52s and Simon Miller 72m 56s.
The Harwich 5km series kicked off with great results by Harriers on a fast night of racing. Jon Nears was fourth fastest overall in 17m 17s, then came Andy Jobling 17m 20s, Paul Mingay 17m 26s, Gavin Scanlon 17m 47s, Cameron Humphries 17m 51s, Paul Preston 17m 54s, Dominic Nicejewski 17m 59s, Joe Boden 18m 12s, Gavin Laws 18m 22s (PB), Fergus Crouch 18m 24s, Matt Davey 18m 34s (PB), Simon Ford 18m 41s, David Campbell 18m 42s, Sergio Azon Bellore 18m 51s, Richard Millward 19m 31s, Angus Waine 19m 52s, Andy Rayner 19m 55s, Andy Taczynski 19m 56s, Denise Morley 20m 15s, Helen Taczynski 20m 21s, Arthur Whiston 21m 26s, Nicola Martell-Smith 21m 28s and Helen Thurlow 24m 48s.
Wayne Cook clocked a personal best 37m 18s at the Breckland 10km for tenth place overall. At the High Easter 10k Richard Boden was also running his fastest 10km in 38m 45s. Mark McKeown clocked an impressive 34m 45s and James Waterson 41m 11s.
The Maldon promenade evening 5km series saw Paul Spowage first home for Harriers with a time of 18m 21s in third spot, Ged Mcmillan was fourth in 18m 53s and Chris Manby fifth in 19m 09s. Lee Holohan ran a personal best 19m 12s then came Heidi Steels first lady in 19m 43s, Sean Duffett 20m 25s, Arthur Whiston 20m 55s, Charlie Walder 20m 58s, Simon Morgan 20m 59s, Jerry Walder 21m 00s, Dan Wilkinson 21m 03s and Samantha Hart 22m 06s. Steph Hogan continues to improve clocking 24m 30s while a returning Abigail Morgan ran well in 24m 57s.
Park run round up best results
Colchester Castle – 2. Jon Nears 18m 58s 3. Ian Jeffries 20m 22s, 4. Cameron Humphries 20m 48s
Colchester Highwoods – 1. Adam Gerrish 20m 35s, 2. Simon Wilson 21m 11s, 5. Denise Morley 21m 47s (1st lady and new over 45 record).
Harwich Promenade – 2. Fran Norris 22m 41s
Mersea Cudmore Grove – 2. Russell Goodridge 19m 39s, 5. Ned Messer 21m 15s
Maldon Promenade – 1. Paul Dobson 18m 10s, 32. lady Kate Sandercock 21m 56s (first lady).
Pont-Y-Bala (Wales) – 2. David Wright 20m 29s (over 60 record).