Benfleet Running Club took men's and ladies' honours when the Hadleigh Country Park leg of the Today's Runner Cross Country League was staged.

Tony Mead was the overall winner of the race, having come second and third in earlier rounds.

He said: "At last I've done it. It's a tremendous feeling after coming so close on a number of occasions."

Second-placed man Greg Deacon, of Castle Point Joggers, was more than 100 metres behind, followed by by Tom May, of Ford Fitness Centre.

The ladies' race was won by Tracy Swindell, also of Benfleet, almost two minutes ahead of second-placed Vicky Bigmore, of East Essex Tri, followed by Julie Heath, of Barking Road Runners.

Tracy was an excellent 21st overall in the race which was contested by nearly 200 runners over four miles of very muddy and hilly terrain.

Benfleet completed the day by winning the overall team trophy with a total of 142 points from Thrift Green Trotters (200) and Billericay Striders (232).

With only one more round to go, Benfleet are certain to clinch second place overall and go to Leicester in March for the national finals of the event along with Thrift Green Trotter, Division One champs.

In Division Two, Ford Fitness Centre look likely winners from Pitsea Running Club.

Benfleet stage their own "Benfleet 15" run starting from Canvey Rugby Club's Tewkes Creek on February 7.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.