Runners are beaten in traditional Markham Cup event

They stormed to their 13th consecutive victory, to retain the Markham Cup.

The lowest score wins and the final points tally saw the cyclists finish with 21 and the runners 63.

The first man home was experienced mountain bike rider Mark Wellsted, who was in awesome form as he manoeuvred his bike with precision over the three 1.4-mile lap course, on Boxing Day.

He crossed the line in 21 minutes and 45 seconds, followed by his team colleagues.

There was an impressive ride by teenager Cameron Hurst, who was second in 22m 34s, just in front of Edward Oliver, who finished third in 22m 38s.

The other victorious cyclists were Saul Muldoon, fourth in 22m 59s, James Jackson, fifth in 23m 21s, and Daryl Gooch, sixth in 23m 36s.

The first runner home was exciting 17-year-old Ramadan Osman.

In his first taste of the event, he finished strongly in seventh, in 23m 38s.

Osman was followed by fine runs from Darren Farrugia, eighth in 23m 57s, Will Hunt, ninth in 24m 18s, and Alan Smalls, tenth in 24m 27s.

Making up the runners’ team was Robert Malseed, 13th in 25m 1s, and Joe Alexander, 14th in 25m 7s.

In the women’s two-lap race, super-vet Margaret Deasy once again showed what a fierce competitor she is by coming home first in 19m 7s.

The hard-working Lacy Bareham was second in 19m 38s and the consistent Lynn Higgs third in 19m 55s.

Making the top eight ladies were Phillipa Baxter, fourth in 20m 34s, Mariann Deasy, fifth in 20m 52s, Georgina Sturgeon, sixth in 21m 7s, Sian Gifford, seventh in 21m 33s, and Melissa Dowell, eighth in 21m 50s.

In the junior boys’ 14 and 15-year-old one-lap race, the cycling trio of Oliver Davis-Smith (first), Daniel Hall (second) and Rob Mercer (third) all showed up well, while in the under-13s race good efforts from runners Aidan Cahill (first in 7m 14s) and Tom Sturgeon (second in 7m 50s) and cyclist Jack Letch (third in 8m 24s) completed the top three competitors home.

Neil Pears, who has competed in this event for over 60 years, presented the shield and cup to the triumphant cyclists’ team.

Event co-ordinator John Hyland thanked the Army for the use of Friday Woods and Major Gurung for his co-operation with car parking facilities.

Praise also went to all the volunteer marshals and officials from Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club, Roger Alexander of Great Bentley, Colchester Harriers, Colchester Rovers and the Essex Medical Team who, together with the competitors and spectators, helped make the annual event a successful occasion.

Results: Senior men’s race (over three laps, first 50 runners/cyclists recorded): 1 Cyclist (C) Mark Wellsted 21 minutes 45 seconds; 2 C Cameron Hurst 22m 34s; 3 C Oliver Edwards 22m 38s; 4 C Saul Muldoon 22m 59s; 5 C James Jackson 23m 21s; 6 C Daryl Gooch 23m 26s; 7 Runner (R) Ramadan Osman 23m 28s; 8 R Darren Farrugia 23m 57s; 9 R Will Hunt 24m 18s; 10 R Alan Small 24m 27s; 11 C Steven Waitt 24m 46s; 12 C Dexter Mansel-Thomas 24m 55s; 13 R Robert Malseed 25m 01s; 14 R Joe Alexander 25m 07s; 15 R Benjamin Miller 23m 46s; 16 R Paul Spowadge 26m 28s; 17 R David Wright 26m 33s; 18 R William Page 26m 49s; 19 R D. Milward 26m 52s; 20 R Keith Thomas 26m 55s; 21 R Russ Sharp 26m 57s; 22 C Stewart McCain 27m 28s; R Gary Riches 27m 41s; 24 R Martin Clarke 27m 43s; 25 R Russel Goodridge 27m 44s; 26 R James Woodley 28m 17s; 27 R Max Caulfield 28m 45s; 28 R Simon Smith 28m 47s; 29 C Martin Smith 29m 07s; 30 R Darren Foster 29m 12s; 31 C Mark Brewer 29m 14s; 32 R Alan McKay 29m 21s; 33 C John Letch 29m 22s; 34 R Ziggy Rampton 29m 23s; 35 R Calum McCain 29m 40s; 36 R Sebastian Pugh 29m 42s; 37 R Chris Martin 29m 56s; 38 R Richard Milward 30m 07s; 39 R Steve Covey 30m 21s; 40 C Peter Hall 30m 28s; 41 R Joseph Boden 30m 34s; 42 R Malcolm Jarvis 30m 40s; 43 R Benjamin Westrop 30m 53s; 44 R Tim Tripp 31m 05s; 45 R A. Lonnigan 31m 10s; 46 R Patrick Marsh 31m 30s; 47 R Andy Miller 31m 40s; 48 R Paul Carlisle 31 56; 49 C Richard Hooper 32m 28s; 50 C Peter Partner 32m 58s.