Happy Harper is victorious
7:41am Friday 16th May 2008
A number of intrepid Witham runners toed the start line in various events across the country.
Four Witham runners felt that the weather may be a bit better at the coast on Sunday, so set out early for the Frinton and Walton Half Marathon.
The trip was definitely worth the trouble as they came back with three prizes.
Kev Harper is enjoying his running and managed another first past the post in a race that now has an official course certificate.
He crossed the finishing line in a time of one hour 23 minutes 44 seconds.
It was Harper's second race win on the trot and he also picked up first prize in his age category.
Colin Short is also racing well and finished in 1h 50m 40s, which gave him third place in the men's 60+ age category.
Mick Poulter was not far behind Short, crossing the line in 1h 52m 22s.
Dave Beckerleg had the misfortune to suffer a sore calf at about five miles in.
However, he decided to continue his run and his time of 2h 05m reflects the problems his injury caused.
The Witham runners teamed up with Ian Foskew and Peter from the Mid-Essex Casuals to form the Witham Misfits and lifted the team prize.
At the Halstead Marathon, the hot, sunny weather made conditions testing.
High praise went to the organisers, water station supporters, marshals, paramedics and first aiders who kept the runners going and tended to those who suffered in the heat.
James Montgomery has managed to get some structured training under his belt this year and it showed, as he was first Witham runner home in a very creditable 4h 11m 40s.
Ian Stobirski tackled his very first marathon and can be very pleased with his finishing time of 4h 15m 19s.
Shelley Wray could not quite match her London time but still finished strongly in 4h 22m 07s, while Penny Clarke suffered in the sun and the heat but still finished the course in 5h 40m 39s.
Witham duo Tracie Bromboszoz and John Roberts both started the race but were forced to retire due to the conditions.
Witham's Julie Pringle went to Harlech to take part in her first triathlon.
The Harlech event started with a fairly standard 400m pool-based swim and continued with a 30 kilometre bike course through Snowdonia National Park.
It culminated in a tough six km run including a beach section and a one in four final climb up to the castle.
Pringle completed the event in a time of 2h 10m.
Witham Running Club members will take part in races at Great Baddow, Hatfield Broad Oak and Tilty Hilly and triathlons in Halstead, Harwich, Gosfield, London, Cambridge, Maldon and Clacton in the coming months.
Visit www.withamrc.org.uk for more details.