It was the final fixture in the Essex Cross Country League at Basildon Sporting Village. The Road Runners were going into the fixture knowing the men were guaranteed promotion to Division 1 and with the ladies still in with a fighting chance. Conditions were cold and wet underfoot with a bitter wind. The course has a surprising amount of hills for a park in the middle of Basildon.
Anna Bambridge was first back for the Halstead Ladies in 70th followed by Hazel Buist making a welcome appearance in 76th. Nicole Smith (98th) and Lauren Hutley, who has been such a positive member of the ladies team, completing the scorers in 105th. The ladies finished in 4th position in Division 2 on the day just behind their main competition JBR Run & Tri. This left the ladies also in 4th position in Division 2 at the end of the season just missing out on promotion.
The men continued their excellent form finishing 1st in Division 2 on the day securing their spot at the top of Division 2 at the end of the season. James Smith lead the men’s team home in 22nd position with Wes Atkins, who has also had an excellent season, in 27th. Gavin Allen strengthened the men’s team in 44th position. Bob Langley (102nd) and Don English (122nd) have both been serious contenders in the men’s V60 category. Andy Carter completed the men’s scoring team in 152nd.
On Sunday it was the popular Great Bentley Half Marathon which took place in great conditions. Tom Porter crossed the line first for the Road Runners in 1:27 a minute over his PB on the same course last year. Sandi Robinson-Miller got a fantastic PB knocking over 4 minutes off her previous best in 1:55. Phil Jeffries was just behind in 1:57. Keith Thorogood finished in 2:20.
Photo of Halstead Road Runners Chairman Bob Langley, Gavin Allen and James Smith (left to right) with the trophy for winning Division 2 in the Essex Cross Country League.
