THE Brantham five-mile race is a tough event with an off-road section and a hard hill climb to take on.

Colchester Harriers' Ged Mcmillan ran a perfect race for the green vests, though, closing in on the leader with 300 metres to go and he stormed home in just over 28 minutes to win by roughly 15 seconds.

Helen Thurlow did very well and retained the first Brantham resident home from her success in 2017.

Other good runs came from Rachel Rodgers, Louise Yates, Rachel Richardson-Wright, Keiron Callagham, Paul Rodgers, Craig Mitchell, and Malcolm Statham.

Charlie Holohan ran a personal best (PB) and continued his great improvement.

At the Twilight half marathon held at the Redbridge cycle centre, Richard Flutter was runner-up over the tough 11 lap course in 1-35.

Marie Shirley, the 2017 Essex marathon Champion, at last came back from injury to finish fourth overall and first lady in 1-41.

The latest two weeks of park runs saw Allen Smalls set a new over-50 record at Burhham on Crouch in 18-11, with Fay Smalls winning her age group.

At Mersea's Cudmore Grove, Ziggy Lampon 17-46 was first and Wayne Cook third 18-15, while the following week it was Richard Heath first in 18-33, with Milly Presland third and first lady in a PB 20-41, with Chris Smith fifth.

The Colchester park run was dominated by Harriers over the fortnight with the top five home from the club.

Angus Holford ran 16-35, Jason Gunn 17-31, Ged McMillan 17-52, Adam Sawyer 1-07, and Paul Rodgers 18-48.

Helen Taczynski was first lady in 20-59.

The other castle run was won by Ramadam Osman, who just took it easy and still clocked 17-00, with Jason Gunn runner-up and Cameron Humphries fifth, while yet again, Helen Taczynski won the ladies' race in 21-11.

Richard Flutter 19-20 won the Dolgellau park run in Mid-Wales, with Debbie Cattermole first lady over-50.

Allen Smalls won the Whitstable park run in 18-11, with Fay Smalls clocking 28-14.