FOUR members of Harwich Runners competed in the Sudbury five-mile race on Good Friday.

This has become such a popular event in recent years that it sells out months in advance.

A high-quality field of 450 were present to tackle the undulating course and first home was Andrew Ridley, from the famous Birchfield Harriers club, in a shade under 27 minutes.

Four Harwich members were lucky enough to join the race, with Justin Cooper-Keeble continuing his recent good form with a time of 34 minutes and 29 seconds to place a decent 61st.

Next through the finish line was Elspeth Knott, who claimed victory in the FV65 age group with a time of 39m 55s.

Michelle Cooper-Keeble ran a strong race in 49m 18s and Sarah Roxby-Clarke recorded her fastest five-mile time in the last two years in 50m 58s.

Meanwhile, there was a good turnout for the 94th Harwich Parkrun on Saturday.

The bright conditions, with a light northerly wind, were favourable for the 126 lining up in Cliff Park.

The first runner to return was Paul Rodgers (17m 34s) - one of several quality athletes who made the commute from Colchester to Harwich.

This was the third time Rodgers has visited Harwich, but the first time he has taken pole position.

The next person home was young Leo Knott, being propelled by dad Graeme in his buggy.

The dad-and-son combination finished on 18m 41s, closely followed by regular runner Warren Byrd on 18m 55s.

To complete a brace of top slots for Colchester athletes, Fran Norris was the first lady to finish in 21st spot overall, in a new personal best (PB) time of 22m 35s.

The second lady also recorded another PB with a new best time of 23m 55s.

An improvement of 16 seconds for Nicola Flatt was just reward for the hard training efforts undertaken during the week with Harwich Runners.

Antoinette Wilson was the third lady home, a shade under 25 minutes on this occasion.

Thirty-three people managed a new personal best time this week and, of those, six were members of Harwich Runners.

Michael Ball completed his fourth consecutive PB in a new best time of 24m 33s.

Ball is another person whose dedication to training is being rewarded.

One of the main driving forces behind the Harwich Parkrun is Ed McCreadie.

Free from injury now, he is making great gains and improving week on week, crossing the line in 26m 27s.

Last weekend Jez Downs had to pull out of the Bromley 10k injured.

A week's rest saw him back with another PB of 23m 36s.

Will Roxby-Clarke improved his best to 21m 14s and Harry Young bounced back from a disappointing 10k last weekend to record 23m 16s.