Halstead Road runners turned their attention to the Great Bentley Half Marathon with Stuart Prestney leading the 19-strong yellowed-vested contingent over the 13.1-mile course.

The event attracted another strong field of athletes and was run in glorious weather conditions, with Prestney running a fine race to finish 54th in one hour 24 minutes 45 seconds.

Team-mate Dan Hollinshead put in a performance worthy of note to finish in 1h 32m 56s to mark an impressive personal best (PB).

There were also PBs for Juan De Gea, captain Jim Clark, Glynn Stone and Rosie Atkins, while Neil Poulter marked his comeback from a recent injury to finish in 1h 41m 52s. London Marathon entrants Prestney, Nia Fortuna, Atkins, Sam Wilson, Del Harrington and Aaron Heard used the event as training for their April date in the capital.

RESULTS: Stuart Prestney 1h 24m 45s, Stewart Ellis 1h 26m 7s, Juan De Gea 1h 27m 19s (PB), Jim Clark 1h 31m 28s (PB), Dan Hollinshead 1h 32m 56s (PB), Glynn Stone 1h 34m 10s (PB), Paul Hinsley 1h 38m 8s, Sam Wolton 1h 39m 16s, Neil Poulter 1h 41m 52s, Kathryn Bronson 1h 41m 55s, Mike Grealey 1h 43m 3s, Andy Carter 1h 43m 7s, Rosie Atkins 1h 48m 6s (PB), Del Harrington 1h 54m 23s, Sam Wilson 1h 55m 9s, Aaron Heard 1h 59m 46s, Carol Atkins 2h 6m 32s, Mick Purkiss 2h 14m 33s, Nia Fortuna 2h 19m 36s.

Meanwhile, Halstead’s Gavin Allen, who was running in the colours of Springfield Striders competed at Great Bentley and in the field of more than 600 athletes, finished in seventh position overall.

His time of 75m 20s was also good enough to earn him the first male prize in the Vet 40 category. Allen is another who is currently in training for the London Marathon in April.