COLCHESTER HARRIERS’ Sarah Stradling ran a fine race at the Great Bentley half-marathon to successfully defend her Essex Championship crown by finishing first in the women’s race and 15th overall in a brilliant effort by the talented runner.

The event incorporated the Essex Half-Marathon Championships and Harriers were well represented in the field of 900 who ran in bright cool conditions, which were ideal for personal bests.

Stradling took the championship for the second consecutive year in a new record time of one hour 17 minutes 43 seconds.

Her performance led to Essex golds for the team thanks to the combined efforts of veteran Lyn Higgs, who was fourth overall in the women’s event and third Essex runner with 1h 27m 05s and young Sarah Ivory, who posted a good first half-marathon time of 1h 30m 40s to finish 12th overall and seventh Essex runner.

Higgs also took gold in the veteran category to give her even more confidence in the build-up to the London Marathon.

Although missing most of their star names, the men worked hard to claim the team bronze.

Andy Kearton is now returning to his best and clocked an impressive 1h 17m 36s for 13th, with Paul Helliwell running 1h 17m 43s in 14th as both just pipped Stradling to the line.

Helliwell took the silver over-40 medal with final team member Mick Bond coming home in 1h 19m 30s for 23rd and was also being rewarded with the bronze over-50 medal.

Personal bests were run by Pat Marsh (1h 31m 10s), Arthur Whiston (1h 26m 29s), Sandy MacMillen (1h 20m 40s), Dave Allworthy (1h 30m 35s) and Laura Stott (1h 49m 49s).

Other Harriers to finish were John Carter in 1h 32m 10s, David Wright in 1h 30m 41s and John Cottis in 1h 33m 40s.