Organisers of the Essex PB5 are to combine next year's event with a fun run in an attempt to attract a larger entry.

Off and running - the Essex PB5 gets underway from Basildon's Gloucester Park Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

This year's race attracted a field of 145 and organiser Peter McLaughlin admitted: "We're finding it difficult to get the kind of support we need from the athletic clubs.

"We hope that by combining the race with a fun run from next year we'll get more serious athletes for the PB5.

"Having said that the field of 145 still managed to raise between £2,000 and £3,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy charity, who were this year's beneficiaries."

The race was won by Havering Mayesbrook's Trevor Keys while Samantha Tophill (Fairlands Valley) was the top female.

Published Wednesday April 7, 2004

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