HARWICH Runners were well-represented at the Essex Cross-Country Championships.

The muddy conditions made running hard work, at Great Notley Country Park.

However, Harwich's ladies finished a highly-respectable 13th out of 28 teams, with Kate Hodgkiss leading the way in 35th overall.

Also claiming points for Harwich were Ellie Haynes, Nicola Flatt and welcome new addition Alison Evans.

There were also good supporting runs from Elspeth Knott, Helen Benham and Anne Herbert.

In a high-quality field for the senior men, Steve Cooper was Harwich’s highest finisher, coming 17th overall, two places ahead of Rob Reason.

Simon Day had a strong run to take 66th and there were further scoring contributions from Charlie McCarthy, Ian Cannons and Matt Doran.

Michael Ball and Niall Burke also put in solid runs.

The scoring men placed 16th out of 25 teams.

Harry Young ran in the under-20s race, with Archie Barrington representing the club in the under-17 equivalent.

With the Essex Championship race taking place the same day, Harwich Runners' attendance at the local Parkrun was reduced.

For the first time since last July, club members were not in any of the top finishing positions.

Twenty-five members still took part and the first finisher was Ian Flook, in fourth place, in 21 minutes and one second.

Next home was club junior Michael Knowles, close to his best in 21m 23s, who was seventh finisher overall.

Other club members in the first ten finishers included Alan Gardner, eighth in 21m 59s, and Dennis Warner, ninth in 22m 7s.

The quickest lady club members were Claire Bransby, fourth lady in 25m 20s, and Ann Piercy, fifth. Club junior Alexander McCreadie completed his 100th Parkrun this week and was second-placed male junior in 22m 41s. He was 13th overall.

Some club members visited Parkruns away from Harwich.

Colin Matthews ran at Clacton, finishing in 26m 34s.

Will and Sarah Roxby travelled to Lowestoft and joined 268 others for the Parkrun.

Will recorded 21m 7s and Sarah 32m 5s.

Two Harwich Runners were at the Colchester event, where 463 people finished.

Anna Anderson finished in 30m 27s and Mark Lloyd was third in 18m 10s.

The following day, Lloyd was at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, competing in his first Duathlon since winning his age category last April in the European Championship.

Once again, he won in his age group, finishing sixth overall in 45m 34s.

Elsewhere, Anna Young completed the Kings Forest 10km at Bury St Edmunds in 55m 46s, finishing 59th out of 185 runners.

This Sunday the club will be looking to consolidate their place at the top of pool B in the 53-12 Cross-Country League.

Ipswich JAFFA are the hosts.