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HUNDREDS of runners faced the gruelling heat to run the 14th Halstead and Essex Marathon.

A total of 484 men and women from across the county and beyond set off from Halstead Leisure Centre at 10am yesterday, with 390 crossing the finish line by 3.30pm.

The first man to finish was Hendrik Zietsman of Southend Athletic Club, who completed the course in 2hrs 38mins.

He was followed by Crispian Bloomfield of Billericay Striders in 2hrs 48mins and Nick Hodges of Dorking and Mole Valley Athletic Club in 2hrs 54mins, who took first place last year.

Of the women, first home was Michaela Wall of Lingfield Running Club in 3hrs 29mins, followed by Tina Hull of Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners in second place with 3hrs 35mins and Claire Gaskill of Istead and Ifield Runners in third place with 3hrs 38mins.

The marathon - voted one of the top ten in the country by Runners World magazine - took competitors through mostly quiet and picturesque country lanes out towards the Essex/Suffolk border and back into Halstead.

Matthew Ranson, of Halstead Road Runners - who organise the race - said: "People really enjoyed it. Obviously the weather was a big consideration - it has been a problem."

9:04am Monday 12th May 2008

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