MOST of the weekend's road races were cancelled due to the cold winds and snowy conditions.

However, Saturday's Harwich Parkrun was one of a few events to go ahead as planned.

Despite a bitterly cold wind from the east and a snowstorm, 62 people completed the five-kilometre course.

The route had to be changed due to the waves crashing over the promenade at the west end. Competitors did two laps of the park and seafront, which included climbing from the lower prom into the park twice.

Harwich Runners members occupied most of the top positions.

The finish times were quite irrelevant, considering the conditions, and no members achieved personal bests this week.

The first three male finishers were club members Graeme Knott (19 minutes and 54 seconds), Mark Rutter (21m 27s) and Ian Flook (21m 41s).

The first two finishing ladies were also club members, Claire Bransby (26m 20s) and Elspeth Knott (26m 53s).

Harwich Runners' juniors also finished in the top two.

Michael Knowles was the fifth finisher overall in 22m 35s and Eddison Barker, the second junior, was 12th overall in 24m 13s.

Other members travelled away from Harwich to take part in a Parkrun.

Gary Parker was third finisher at Ipswich in 18m 56s.

Ian Bolton was in York where he recorded 26m 12s and regular first lady at Harwich Claudine Benstead was fourth finisher and first lady at the Minehead event, in 22m 32s.

Sarah and Will Roxby-Clarke tried out the Maldon Parkrun.

Will was 11th finisher in 22m 13s and Sarah finished in 34m 53s.

Stuart Weaver continued his training for a marathon with his third half-marathon of the year.

This time he travelled to Maidstone, in Kent, where he finished in fourth place in a time of 1h 27m 49s.

This Saturday, the Essex Road Relay Championships will again be held in Harwich and hosted by Harwich Runners.

It is the fourth year it has been staged in the area and it is hoped runners will return to compete in one of the other events staged by Harwich Runners.

In the past, these relays have attracted the best runners in Essex.

Ninety-five teams have entered this year - the same as last year - proving Harwich is a popular venue for the event.

The race will start at 11am on Dovercourt seafront, near the boating lakes and the skating rink. Runners will run along the promenade towards Harwich, passing the stone pier.

At Barrack Lane they will leave the prom and then head towards and go through the Dovercourt Park.

After leaving the park, they will drop down onto the prom and head towards the west end, covering a total of 5km (3.1 miles).

The changeover point will be back where they started.

Teams will consist of four men or three ladies, all completing one 5k lap each.

The race will also incorporate the vets' championship, which will consist of teams of three men or women.

County medals will be awarded to the first three teams in each age category - gold, silver and bronze.