HALSTEAD Road Runners stayed second in pool B of the 53-12 Cross-Country League after the latest fixture at Wherstead in Suffolk.

Wesley Atkins had had a storming run at the Great Notley Park Run the day before and was first back for the men in the league race as he finished in 35th position overall.

The freezing weather conditions meant the course was rock hard in places with runners racing under the imposing Orwell Bridge twice before looping round fields to finish in the grounds of the Suffolk Food Hall.

Jim Clark (39th) continues to provide a strong presence with Steve May (93rd) and Sam Wolton (113th) ensuring that the men had a full scoring team which also impacted on the overall position for the club.

The men finished third in Pool B on the day.

Caroliena Cameron brought the ladies home in 20th position with Melanie Candler closing her down in 24th to score for the team.

Hazel Buist (57th) pushed Nicole Smith (59th) round the course, with Debbie Cook showing no fear on a great cross-country debut (79th).

The ladies continue to keep the pressure on the men, finishing second in Pool B on the day.

Overall, Halstead finished third in Pool B and remained second in the table, only one point ahead of Tiptree, with two more fixtures to go.

The day before, Atkins had competed at the Great Notley Park Run with a fifth-place finish overall and a new personal best of 19 minutes 29 seconds.

Meanwhile, Bob Langley tested out the Penrith Park Run during a weekend break in Cumbria.

This was the veteran 60 ace’s first ever Park Run and it was an extremely successful venture.

Langley placed 12th overall, claiming age category honours in the process and recording the third fastest time for a V60 on that course in a time of 20m 40s.