The biggest event in the UK running calendar, The Virgin London Marathon, finally returned this weekend. All Halstead Road Runners taking part performed really well and the weather conditions were good for the event if not a little windy.
Nathan Roulson came in first for Halstead in 3:00:09.
Stephen Metson 3:19:51
Gavin Ripton 3:35:42
Rachael Roughan 3:36:29
Michael Smith 3:39:48
Victoria Metson 4:17:09
Mandy Humm 4:18:40
Michelle Edney 5:34:03
Nina Powell 6:48:43
Chelmsford Half Marathon took place at the same time as the London Marathon but Halstead was still well represented.
Steve May came in at 1:31:41
Gareth Dyball 1:44:51
Ross Kemble 1:49:11
John Warne 1:57:14
Alan Fancy 1:54:54
Anthony Denton 2:05:34
Jenny Smith 2:10:44
Lisa Clarke completed the Sandringham 10k in a time of 00:52:42.
Cross country races have also made a welcome return starting with the Essex League Cross Country event at Hockley. Wendy Carter was Halstead’s only runner in the Senior Women’s race and had a great run, finishing in 54th out of 73 runners. In the Senior Men’s race there were 145 finishers and Halstead recorded an excellent team score that placed us 11th out of the 14 complete teams (2nd in Div 2) but interestingly there were 10 incomplete teams below Halstead, including local rivals Colchester Harriers, Springfield Striders, Mid Essex Casuals, Tiptree Road Runners and Braintree AC. Individually Michael Smith was Halstead’s first runner home in 68th position followed by Bob Langley 107th, Perry James 108th, Alan Fancy 120th, Joseph Slee 123rd, his first race for Halstead and Andy Carter 125th. Times are usually recorded in this league but were not on this occasion due to a lack of officials.
The following weekend saw the running of the Cross Country relays at Weald Country Park in Brentwood. Halstead put out one ladies team of Anna Bambridge, Lauren Ripton & Charlotte King and a men’s team of Ross Kemble, Perry James, Alan Fancy & Steve May. The weather was absolutely horrendous with torrential rain & strong winds but that just made the conditions more enjoyable on the hilly course which was meant to be 5k but turned out nearer to 4.5k. Offical results have yet to be announced.
