HARWICH Runners organised another successful Essex County Relay Championships.

Colchester Harriers proved their strength in depth by winning four of the six categories, notably in the female open, where they placed first and third.

Their winning time of 57m 8s was over three minutes clear of second-placed Southend.

The Harwich team in this group, Emma Barr, Angela Walton and Michelle Greenfield, placed eighth.

In the female vet 35 group, Southend were victorious, finishing ahead of Saffron Striders and Colchester Harriers.

Harwich came fourth, with Claire Gooding-Matthews leading the way in 22m 37s, followed by Becky McCorquodale in 21m 59s and Harwich’s fastest female runner on the day, Madeline Lewis, in 20m 51s.

However, it was in the female vets 45 category where Harwich achieved their highest placing, taking second behind Colchester Harriers.

The Harwich trio were given a strong start by Claudine Benstead, in 21m 18s, and then Sharan Ryder, in 22m 58s.

Carrie Hook completed the trio with a time of 23m 27s to secure a silver medal placing ahead of Springfield Striders.

In the men’s open category, Springfield proved too strong for second-placed Ilford, recording a narrow 24-second victory.

The Harwich team in this category had been affected by injury but still performed well to take ninth.

Sam Gooding-Matthews gave the team a good start in 17m 52s and Graeme Knott’s time of 17m 49s kept the team competitive.

Justin Burls (21m 9s) and Justin Cooper-Keeble (21m 16s) completed the team and gave them a finishing time of 1h 18m 8s.

In the men’s vet 40 group, Colchester Harriers were narrow winners, finishing 11 seconds ahead of a Springfield Striders team that boasted the fastest runner in the category, Gavin Allen (16m 32s).

Havering were third with Harwich just behind in fourth.

Mark Lloyd was the fastest of all the host teams runners on the day with a time of 17m 39s.

He was ably supported by Richard Flutter (19m 25s) and a first-ever sub 18-minute showing from Robin Brookes (17m 57s).

Harwich entered two teams in this category, with Ben Hammond, Andre Besant and Ian Cannons taking tenth place.

The men’s vet 50 category was also won by Colchester Harriers, just edging out Ilford.

The Harwich team missed out on third place, finishing ten seconds behind Thurrock.

John Francis ran 18m 34s, with Bill Haining (20m 25s) and Mark Rutter (18m 37s) proving a strong team.