HARWICH Runners competed at the popular Sudbury five-mile race on Good Friday.

A huge field of 432 runners took on a varied and fast course.

There was an amazingly close battle at the head of the ladies’ race, with the first two finishers crossing the line just one second apart.

Harwich’s Kate Hodgkiss edged ahead of Colchester’s Marie Shirley to claim the win in a time of 31 minutes and 32 seconds and finished 22nd overall.

Also victorious on the day was Elspeth Knott, whose time of 39m 19s saw her comfortably win the FV60 category.

Stephen Burbidge was the first Harwich runner home in 12th position, finishing in a time of 30m 47s.

Richard Flutter is one of several preparing for the London Marathon and he completed the undulating course here in 32m 24s for 31st place.

Francis Mills is another and came through the finish line in 104th place, in 37m 26s.

Bill Haining was sixth in the MV50 age group and 36th overall in 32m 56s, with Steve Kent claiming 61st in 34m 32s.

Carrie Hook was 114th overall in 38m 18s and fourth in the FV40 category.

Meanwhile, there were also good comeback runs from Ian Cannons, 199th in 43m 3s, and Louise Papworth, 310th in 48m 23s.

Five Harwich Runners were among the 283 taking on the tough two-lap course of Colchester’s Castle Parkrun.

Talented veteran Mark Rutter brought the first Harwich vest home for the club.

Rutter placed a superb sixth overall and notched up yet another V50-54 age group victory in 18m 51s.

Next back to the bandstand was Colchester regular Peter Fraser-Hopewell, in 23m 11s, to place second V60-64.

Super veteran Amos Seddon notched up the only course-best on the day for the club by shaving six seconds from his previous best in 24m 41s.

Less than a minute behind, Vicky McCrea was the first Harwich lady home in 25m 30s for 15th woman overall.

Sally Gillam ensured the club had two ladies in the top 20 with a finishing time of 26m 28s to place her 19th lady overall and second V50-54 on the day.