HARWICH Runners took first and second places in both the male and female categories in Saturday’s Parkrun.

Sam Gooding-Matthews had his first run at the event since December and was rewarded with a first-place finish in 18 minutes and 16 seconds.

It was his seventh win in 13 appearances.

The second finisher was Graeme Knott, pushing son Leo in a buggy, in 18m 55s.

Sixth finisher and first lady was Kate Hodgkiss, with another sub 20-minute run (19m 59s), proving she is getting back to her best.

Super vet Claudine Benstead was second lady back to the bandstand in 20m 56s. Archie Barrington was the only other club member inside the top ten, finishing ninth in 20m 40s.

Fellow junior member Jamie Carter set yet another personal best, knocking a further 15 seconds off his previous best to record 21m 59s, finishing in 15th position.

Other club members to set new PBs this week were Lian Meachen (32m 53s) and Amy Kitching (38m 39s).

Nicola Flatt continued her return from injury, running her best time since May of 23m 37s.

Michelle Cooper Keeble ran 28m - her best since October 2016.

Claire Bransby spent last weekend doing the Three Peaks Challenge, which she completed in 22 hours and 36 minutes.

However, she still managed to run the Parkrun five days later in 25m 59s.

Two club members opted for other local Parkruns.

Peter Fraser Hopewell ran 24m 37s at Colchester and Gary Parker did 21m 56s at the Ipswich event.

Stephen Peck travelled to Gorleston to tackle the Great Yarmouth half-marathon. Peck has had a superb year since joining Harwich Runners, with highlights including a stunning sub 17-minute 5km time two weeks ago, as well as strong showings in five-mile and 10km races.

He started the year with a half-marathon at Great Bentley and ran 1h 32m but has improved considerably since then.

At this latest race, Peck managed to finish ninth in a field of over 300 runners in an impressive 1h 21m 39s.

He was fourth in his age group (MV40) and looks well on track for a marathon effort later in the year.