The unexpected fine weather on Sunday at the Essex 20 miles was the first real test for the bulk of the runners who are training for next month’s London Marathon.

There were 11 Southend runners out in red vests and at least three ex-seasiders in a good start of 200 runners.

Southend were missing a lot of the fast names of past years through injury or other commitments and consisted entirely of veterans trying to hold back the years.

The start is slightly downhill and was very fast which drew many runners into getting away and running the first six miles (10k) in times that would be a season’s best for most. Social secretary Ana Ockendon certainly ran personal bests for five miles, 10k, 10 miles and half marathon courtesy of the quick start.

At halfway Jim Ling went through 10 miles in 70:2 at the lead of the SAC runners. Matt Gillard was another drawn forward and was clocking eight minute miles instead of his pre-race planned nine. Steve Jewell (vet 50) was running with Ockendon (vet 35) and Stuart Payne and ahead of expectations.

About mile 14 Tash Lagden and Melanie Ling serenely ghosted past Jim leaving only words of encouragement.

Lagden was the first SAC runner home in 2hrs 28mins 51secs (ninth lady) followed by Mel Ling in 2:29:56 (10th) and Jim Ling (fading fast) in 2:34:03 (70th male), Payne came in at 2:37:20 (77th) then Ockendon completing the women’s team at 14th lady in 2:37:20. A very tired Jewell put in a final sprint for the crowd to make 2:45:40 (91st) followed by Road Running Secretary and this year’s Southend AC 10k entry supremo Glen Taylor (vet 50) in 92nd place in 2:'48:16. At 97th was Ian Glover (Road Runners’ Coach) in 2:51:30. Graham Hilbery was 103rd and third Vet 60 home in 2:54:27. A wiser but worn Matt Gillard made his sub-3 hour goal in 103rd with a time of 2:57:33 which left the biggest support for Ian Miller who was testing himself after a year of injury and ops at 115th in 3:03:11.

The women’s team were happily surprised to be bronze medallists, only seven points behind Benfleet but 17 ahead of Chelmsford — a very credible effort.

Former SAC man Mark Waine, now running for Springfield, finished in 11th in 2:03:59 with another ex-SAC runner Mike Mansfield (Leigh Striders) in 12th in 2:04:51.

Another ex-SAC athlete, vet 50 Bob Burns, ran well in a Leigh vest to finish 75th in a time of 2:36:20.

“All in all it was a very enjoyable days’ racing and a good warm up for London that was needed with the local half Marathons (Great Bentley and Brentwood) being over-subscribed and full,” said a Southend AC spokesman.

“Well done to the organisers (Colchester Harriers and Essex County AA) on a terrific day out.”