THERE were a number of success stories during the fourth race in Harwich Runners’ 5km Series.

The handicap system, where runners try and beat their predicted times, resulted in victory for unattached runner Alex Brice.

He completed the promenade-based course in 28 minutes and six seconds.

Second was Harwich newcomer Thomas Stafford, who ran a time of 19m 58s in his first outing over this distance for the club.

The podium was completed by another Harwich Runner, Andre Besant, who managed a time of 20m 3s, benefitting from not having done any ultra-distance races just before as with previous runs during the series.

The fastest runner on the night, for the fourth race in a row, was Sam Clayton, of Colchester, who completed the distance in 16m 31s.

Rob Reason, of Harwich, was next fastest in 16m 45s, with Danny Millward one of the most improved over the series, taking third in 17m 34s.

The fastest lady was Meera Rajoo, in 21m 51s, just ahead of Harwich’s Madeline Lewis (21m 57s) and Sharan Rider (22m 46s).

Anthony Nixon, of Ilford, again recorded the fastest age-related time with his actual time of 19m 32s being adjusted to an equivalent of 14m 44s.

There were some personal bests (PB) posted by Harwich Runners.

Robin Brookes is in the form of his life and chipped another second of his PB in 18m 6s.

Phil Sanderson has shown vast improvement again over the series and lowered his PB by an impressive 28 seconds to 20m 18s.

Young Archie Barrington secured his fourth successive PB of the series by running 20m 34s.

Another enjoying an impressive run of form is Will Roxby-Clarke.

He was running his first 5km race this year but his time of 21m 23s was a new PB.

Other PBs were achieved by last year’s overall winner, Steven Rowse (26m 1s), Karen Martin (26m 31s), Ann Herbert (27m 7s) and Sabine Klapper, who ducked under 40 minutes for the first time (39m 56s).

Many others ran their fastest times of the year.

Claire Gooding-Matthews has improved with every race and did so again here, running 24m 59s.

Mark Lloyd (17m 39s), Justin Burls (19m 17s) and Johnny Zeeuw (20m 53s) also ran their quickest race of the series so far.

Others to achieve this feat included Miranda Rayner, Tony Anderson, Alice Cole, Julian Cordwell, Sally Gillam, Jonathan Burls and Madeline Lewis.

There was also a welcome return from injury for two runners, Louise Papworth and Sam Gooding-Matthews.

Seventeen runners took part in the accompanying junior race run over a one-mile distance.

The honours went to Eddison Barker, who beat his predicted time by the biggest margin, completing the distance in a swift 7m 8s.

The podium was completed by Eddie Cannons and Jack Perry.

Caiden Lewis beat his previous best to finish fifth in 9m 13s while there was also success for Alexandria Burls, who reduced her race three time by over 30 seconds to post 10m 15s.

Eddison Barker also recorded the fastest time on the night but by the smallest margin as Michael Knowles came home just one second slower in 7m 9s.

Joshua Lear ran a good 7m 39s.

The fastest girl was Mazy King, in 7m 40s – her quickest time of the series, having completed all four races.

There were also good performances from Annabel Brookes (8m 53s), William Turner (8m 12s) and Holly Turner (8m 18s) The final race in the series takes place on Tuesday, July 28.