COLCHESTER Harriers claimed runners-up spot at their latest Southern Athletics League Division One meeting.

They pushed host club and winners Chelmsford AC all the way in the heat, finishing ahead of Marshall Milton Keynes and Crawley AC.

The result moves Harriers comfortably into mid-table in the overall league standings, as they enter the second half of the season.

Rebecca Jeggo continued her impressive start to the season, equalling her personal best (PB) of 12.0 seconds to narrowly finish second in the 100 metres.

She then won the 200m, where she was closely followed by team-mate Joy Ogunleye who was second.

Ogunleye's impressive performance gave her victory in the B string of both events.

Akin Akinboh ran superbly to clinch second place in the men's A string 100m, claiming a PB of 11.0s.

He was closely followed by Joe Wilkin, who returned to form with victory in the B string.

Jake Young continued his momentum with victory in the 400m as well as second place in the 200m.

That was closely followed by Akin’s second run out of the day, after he won the B string.

It was a superb day for Harriers' distance athletes, with plenty of wins and PBs.

Ramadam Osman won a highly competitive 1,500m with a superb front running effort, which secured him a PB of four minutes 07.6s.

He was closely followed by Erneas Afeweki who clocked 4m 13.5s to win the B string.

There were also PBs for Nate Filer in the 5,000m, Michael Smith in the 2,000m steeplechase and Sam Higgins, who won the javelin.

Following Higgins' impressive example, Harriers' men enjoyed success in the field events.

Akin Akinboh won the long jump, while Joseph Clarke triumphed in the triple jump.

In the women's events, it was a tale of talent mixed with a brilliant team spirit as athletes helped across the board to fill every event.

Helen Taczynski competed in an incredible five track and field events, even finding enough energy for a PB in the 110m hurdles.

Heidi Steele performed the courageous double up of 800m and 3,000m, claiming a fantastic victory in the B string 3k.

Nicola Martell Smith chipped in as usual, competing in multiple events across the board.

However, she suffered a setback when she missed the start of the women’s 2k steeplechase after officials apparently failed to tell her the start was on the other side of the track.

There was victory for Jade Morgan in the A string triple jump as well as an impressive run for second place in the team's 4x400m relay.

Harriers' women’s 100m relay team were looking strong in second place as they turned the last corner but dropped the baton and were disqualified.

Harriers now move onto a home meeting in Colchester on July 14, as they look to continue their rise up the table.