COLCHESTER and Tendring Athletic Club members were among more than 8,000 who took part in this year’s National Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields in London.

The course is known as one of the toughest in the UK and it certainly lived up to its reputation with many athletes suffering on the hills.

This did not deter the experienced Margaret Deasy, though, as she once again rose to the occasion for an outstanding run in the senior women’s 8,000 metres and finished a terrific 47th in 33 minutes 31 seconds.

Danielle Tatum continued to improve and the 22-year-old had one of her best races at this level for 64th in 34m 18s, while Becky Adams produced a sparkling run to finish 229th 38m 56s.

Leurie Douglas was running in her first National Championships and gave a good account of herself in 350th in 42m 34s and Diane Wooller worked hard for 462nd in 47m 26s.

Colchester and Tendring were 27th team to finish, which was a great position for one of the smallest clubs competing against much larger rivals.

In the under-20 women’s race, Laura Condron was in fine form over her 5,000m course as she finished 57th in 22m 20s, while Laura Hillyard showed her confidence is returning with each race with an impressive 82nd in the under-17s with 23m 25s.

Lacey Bareham enjoyed her first outing in a major competition and finished 143rd in 25m 41s, with Sam Clayton doing himself proud in the under-17 boys’ race over a 6,000m course for 121st in 23m 17s.

The under-13 girls’ race saw Hannah Banks home in 331st and Ellie Clarke 347th as they gained valuable experience.

Joe Alexander ran well in the under-13 boys while his father Roger Alexander tackled the senior men’s 1,200m course, finishing 1,215th in one hour 1m 24s.