THIS year's Halstead and Essex Marathon was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Now in its 22nd year, this award-winning race, which is organised by Halstead Road Runners, saw more than 600 athletes compete over a 26.2 mile course on the country roads surrounding Halstead.

Sunday's unseasonably high temperatures made the event a war of attrition rather than a chance to break records, though.

Times were clearly affected in the men's race, however, Allen Smalls from Colchester Harriers finished first in an impressive time of two hours 48 minutes 42 seconds.

Smalls took the lead around 19 miles and didn't look back as he took a commanding three-minute lead over second-place Pere Capdevila who finished in 2h 51m 6s.

Third place went to Denys Olefir, who finished in 2h 52m 10s.

The women's title was claimed by Christine Howard from Billericay Striders, who finished in 3m 44m 50s.

Julie Holloway was second in 3h 48m 45s and Tracey English claimed third place in 3h 52m 29s.

Closer to home, Halstead's Stuart Prestney was first home for the host club in 3h 35m 43s, with Jon Buist next in 3h 51m 8s.

Mike Grealy followed up his London Marathon performance two weeks previously to finish in 4h 26m 34s, closely followed by Sam Wolton in 4h 33m 20s.

Marathon legend Andy Wilmot finished in 4h 38m 44s, while Dan Smith rounded off results in 5h 9m 48s.