Veteran Mingay takes gold at the Essex 5 mile championships

The Essex 5 mile Championship was held at Great Leighs showground on Sunday. Making his debut for Colchester Harriers was number one British ranked veteran over 60 in road running Paul Mingay. Mingay now nearly 63 took the county gold in his age group in a superb time of 28m 50s for 24th place overall, Colin Ridley took the over 50 silver 35th in 29m 50s, while Annette Oakman continued her fine form with a county bronze in the over 45 age group in 35m 21s and in the new under 20 road running category Fergus Crouch took silver in 30m 29s finishing overall 43rd. Other Harriers competing were Nath Filer 10th in 27m 28s, Paul Rodgers 23rd in 28m 45s, James Wright 27th in 29m 04s, Paul Preston 29th in 29m 23s, Jon Nears 41st in 30m 24s, Pete West 57th in 31m 11s, Daniel Summersgill 69th in 31m 51s, Simon Morgan 120th in 34m 34s, James Plant 181st in 37m 28s and Kieran Callaghan 207th in 38m 46s.

The Orion 15 is an extremely difficult off road event and one of the oldest races in Britain, yet again a handful of Harriers made the start line with latest Army recruit Dean Williamson a fine 10th, Angus Holford was 19th, while Paul Dellar made an excellent debut for the green vests finishing 4th veteran over 50 in 1h 58m 32s. Chris Manby and Becky Cooke also ran well.

Allen Smalls remarkable run over mountainous long distance events continued with 20th spot in the Lakes Mountain 42. This is a tough, unmarked mountain trail route including the summits of Helvellyn and High Street, on a variety of terrain but predominately Lakeland mountain paths with 10,500 feet of climb.

Andy Jobling took second place at the Hare and Tortoise Blackwater Ultra Marathon a 43 mile off road race.

Harriers coach Dave Smith turned 60 last week and to celebrate his efforts over the years a group of Harriers travelled to the Norfolk Broads to run in the Catton Park run (dressed as Minions) and have a training weekend at Horning. Good results came from Rob Smith 5th in 17m 42s, Helen Taczynski 1st lady in 19m 47s, Denise Morley 3rd lady in 20m 36s and Ella Neale 4th lady in 20m 49s. Nicola Martell-Smith clocked an excellent 21m 48s and Andy Taczynski a personal best 19m 44s.

At Colchester Highwoods Park run Jason Gunn strode to victory in 17m 57s with Richard Heath runner up in 19m 00s. Andrea James was 1st lady in 22m 21s with Alexandra Hennessy taking second spot in 23m 11s. Other finishers were Jenny Richardson 25m 56s, Alex Walder 34m 25s, Jerry Walder 34m 31s and Natasha Rice 35m 21s.

Just under 400 runners took part in the Colchester Castle park run with Jon Nears second home in 18m 42s, followed by Kevin Higgins 5th in 19m 10s, Richard Boden 10th in 19m 47s, Russell Goodridge 11th in 19m 57s. David Wright finished 16th, just behind the first female finisher (an under 15 girl from CATS) in 20m 20s. Sean Duffett was 18th in 20m 29s with under 13 athletes Harrison Leek 27th in 21m 25s and Finley Greenleaf 39th in 21m 48s. Jordi Moat was 2nd lady in 21m 40s with junior athlete Lizzie Wellsted 5th female in 23m 52s. Other Harriers times Graham Langford 21m 42s, Daniel Cook 21m 53s, Liz Cahill 24m 01s, Kieran Callaghan 24m 56s, James Plant 24m 56s, Oliver Saunders 25m 35s and Rachel Richardson-Wright 31m 34s A couple of ex Harriers competed the 5k run, Steve Woolcock clocking 24m 14s and Glen Robertson 30m 02s.

Milly Presland was 7th finisher at Cudmore Grove, Mersea Island and first lady in 19m 39s. Also running at Cudmore Grove were Nate Filer 19m 10s, Daniel Wilkinson 21m 10sand Brian Smith 27m 31s.

Andrew Lovelock 18m 08s and Paul Dobson 18m 40s were 2nd and 3rd at Maldon Esplanade Park, Heidi Steele was runner up for the ladies in 19m 45s.

Catton park run (for Minions!)