HALSTEAD Road Runners runners delivered strong performances and reached several personal milestones over a busy weekend.
A group of 10 runners took part in the One Tree Hill cross country event in round two of the Essex League.
The Under-20 and senior women’s race drew 142 finishers over just under four miles.
Wendy Carter led the club’s women home in 97th place in (37:39), followed by Lorraine Garnham in 111th in (39:52) and Emily Bentley in 112th in (39:54).
Val Kerrison finished 137th in (46:44), with Lauren Ripton one place behind in (46:46).
The men’s race covered 4.9 miles and attracted 233 finishers, with Matt Thomas leading the Halstead contingent in 41st place in (31:08).
Laurence Gowers was 111th in (35:33), while Gav Ripton finished 168th in (40:48).
Simon Smith placed 180th in (41:51), with Andy Carter completing the team in 210th in (45:25).
The club also hosted the opening fixture of the new NESS Cross Country League season at Gosfield School on Sunday.
Despite strong winds associated with Storm Boelo and rain in the preceding two days, conditions were considered largely favourable, with soft ground but limited mud.
The course took runners around the Halstead Hills motocross track, through sand, slippery mud and puddles, with several demanding climbs.
Matt finished third overall in his second cross-country race of the weekend.
James Withams was Halstead’s next finisher in 22nd, followed by James North in 33rd.
Bradley Doe, still returning from injury, finished 62nd, while Perry James was 85th among the 147 men.
Luis Betancourt Canas finished 89th, followed by Smith in 91st and Sam Wolton in 92nd.
Len Marten finished 121st after stepping up his distance following his 400th parkrun, while Dave Clarke was 139th.
Isabel Alcon Gardner made an impressive cross-country debut, finishing 12th among 79 women.
Wendy Carter and Lorraine Garnham completed the women’s team in 78th and 79th place.
The men finished second and the women fourth in their Pool B competitions, leaving Halstead second overall.
Aidan Kelly completed the Duxford Dash 10K in (47:07) despite strong winds on the historic airfield runway.
Nina Symington Smith recorded a personal best of (3:25:34) at the Battersea Marathon and finished first female in the V40 category.
Noush Springett and Rachael Roughan completed the Stort30 trail ultra together in (5:31), placing 31st and 32nd overall and fourth and fifth among the women.
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They also finished second and third in their respective age categories.
Jenny Smith and Jody Smith completed their first ultra in (6:38:55) and (7:06:55) respectively.
Paul Gerrard matched Jody’s time of (7:06:55).
Len Marten and Jane Roach also completed their 400th parkruns over the weekend.
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