COLCHESTER Harriers stormed to a superb victory in the Ekiden Relay Marathon.

The Green Vests retained their senior's men title at the event, staged at Woodbridge School.

They produced a strong front-running performance, leading from the first mile to the end.

Harriers also retained all the other three team titles won in 2017 and set a new course record in the over-40 men’s category.

A total of 250 senior teams plus a further 50 junior teams competed, in their own event.

Harriers had 14 senior teams and five junior teams holding up the Harriers' tradition of big turnouts for relay races.

On an extremely hot day, Harriers' senior men team stormed to victory in two hours 24 minutes 50 seconds.

It was just 40 seconds adrift of the previous year’s winning time and taking the conditions into the scenario, was a better run.

Angus Holford gave the green vests an early lead, winning the 7.2 kilometre first leg and taking the fastest leg prize at that distance on the day.

Ermeaus Aferwerki and Ramadam Osman, along with Tom Cresswell, ran supreme 5km legs.

Osman was the fastest 5km leg winner while Aferwerki was the third fastest at that distance.

New signing Simon Beedel ran a superb 10km leg along with one of experienced runner Chris Sellens, who produced a well-controlled 10km to ensure a Colchester victory over old rivals Ipswich Jaffa for the second consecutive year.

Harriers' Veteran men's over-40 team knocked four minutes off their record, clocking 2h 30m 30s.

They won convincingly thanks to Doug McGillvey, Paul Preston, Ged MCmillan, Adrian Mussett, Andy Low, and Paul Rodgers.

Harriers' over-50 men super vets also retained their title in style, winning by more than a mile.

The team was Peter West, Paul Spowage, Allen Smalls, Jay Waite, Richard Flutter and Colin Ridley.

Harriers' Lady super vets were involved in a closer race but yet again retained their trophy in an event they have never been beaten in.

Their team was Steph Horner, Annette Oakman, Debbie Cattermole, Denise Morley, Jenny Richardson and Kate Sandercock.

Harriers' senior ladies ran Ipswich Jaffa close but were finally beaten by two minutes and had to settle for runners-up.

The Green Vests team was Lucy Mapp, Stacey Eyres, Andrea James, Helen Taczynski, Aiko Hennington and Becky Cooke.

Harriers' mixed team finished seventh in a high quality race, with Danny Millward, Ellie Cumner, Gavin Scanlon, Ella Neale, Mikey Smith and Max Caulfield all giving their all.

The Essex 10,000m track County Championship saw Harriers return with a host of medals.

Ramadam Osman was crowned Essex champion, winning gold medal in 32m 51s in a very technical race.

Osman break clear with 400m to go to win, ahead of Chris Sellens who clocked 35m 14s.

The Harriers duo claimed silver team medals, while Tom Cresswell (36m 26s) and Paul Preston took team silvers.

Andrea James was also a silver medallist and Becky Cooke won bronze in the ladies event.

The duo also claimed gold in the team event, a marvellous effort from the ladies.

The final summer Maldon Promenade 5km saw Ailo Hennington finish first lady in 18m 23s.

Second claim Harriers athlete Andy low won the men’s event in 17m -06s, ahead of Danny Millward (fifth, 17m 49s), Mlkey Smith (seventh, 18m 11s), Colin Ridley (eighth, 18m 20s) and Barry Frost (tenth, 18m 31s).

The Harwich evening 5km saw Harriers ladies in good form, with Aiko Hennington (18m 25s), Laura Shewbridge (18m 54s), Nicola Martell-Smith (21m 47s) and Helen Thurlow (23m 30s) all running very well.

For the men, Robert Smith ran a fine 17m 57s, while Simon Ford clocked 19m 31s.

Jason Gunn swept to victory in the Colchester Park Run, while Wayne Cook was runner-up at the Brandon event.

David Wright lowered the over-60 record at Mersea Cudmore Grove by 13 seconds.