SCOTT Darney led the way for Witham Running Club at the Essex Cross-Country 10K Series at Danbury with a top-seven finish.

More than 200 runners tackled the undulating course through Danbury Country Park.

While the three-lap course did not contain any hills of any size, it was hard to find momentum because constant changes in direction and elevation.

Fortunately the shade of the trees gave some protection from the sun and Darney came home just under the 40-minute mark.

Next up for Witham was Terry Alabaster (58th) and Gerry Greenwold (83rd), who were both pleased with their times as they accomplished sub-50-minute finishes.

James Kennerley (121st) put in a good training run in preparation for Witham Running Club’s venture West for the Trail Marathon Wales event on Saturday.

Ross Silverton (175th) and Victoria Levine (185th) crossed the line just over the hour mark.

RESULTS: 7th Scott Darney (39m 27s), 58th Terry Alabaster (46m 53s), 83rd Gerry Greenwold (49m 55s), 121st James Kennerley (53m 23s), 175th Ross Silverton (60m 6s), 185th Victoria Levine (61m 59s).

Meanwhile, triathlon action saw Andy Notley notch a top-three finish in Island Races Ipswich Sprint Triathlon.

Notley had a strong swim and bike and managed to hold on for the run to claim second place and a deserved spot on the podium.

This sprint distance triathlon event consisted of a 300 metre pool swim, a 20 kilometre cycle and a 5km road run.