The appalling conditions at Stubbers for the Essex Championships suited some Thurrock athletes but left others fighting for breath.
The second day of this split event - part one was held in December - saw the Thurrock Harriers' senior women have possibly the best time of the club entries.
Thurrock's second claim runner, Jo Wilkinson, fought it out with Basildon's Alexa Joel and Havering Mayesbrook's Faye Fullerton to give her a gutsy victory by 13 seconds.
But the women's team - which also comprised Louise Brass (20th), Megan Norquay (21st) and Toni Noble (24th) - were placed fourth overall behind Basildon, Woodford Green and Colchester.
"It was a frustrating affair for the women because they were placed fourth and yet had amassed more points than two years ago when they took silver with that total," said Harriers' David Staines.
"Our trouble was that the top three teams really packed the top 20. Basildon was the surprise package and pulled out all the stops."
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