HEAVY rain left Sunday’s Chelmsford 10km, which also incorporated the Essex Championships, as more of a swim than a run at times.

But despite the conditions, local runners turned out in force and were rewarded with some impressive performances.

The race was won by Springfield Striders’ Scott Cousins in 33m 14s with the first south Essex finisher, Crispian Bloomfield (Billericay Striders), finishing fifth in 33m 42s.

Basildon AC’s Sebastian Cirillo was not much further behind in eighth (34m 11s) in what was a tightly packed top 10.

The women’s race was also won by a Springfield Strider, Elizabeth Davies (36m 25s) while it was also a very good day for Southend AC’s female contingent.

Their leading trio of Sarah Jeffrey, Annabel Matthews-Smith and Anne Jenkinson won silver team medals.

Jeffrey led the team home in a time of 40m 30s, which was just 18 seconds off her best ever time.

Under-20 athlete Matthews-Smith was the eighth lady to finish with a huge personal best of 42m 12s followed immediately by Jenkinson.

Leading the Southend contingent on the men’s side was Lee Taylor with a storming run of 35m 27s. It was good enough for 24th place and took 24 seconds off his PB.

Ty Farrer (36m 31s), Simon Le Mare (37m 11s) and Dominic Le Mare (41m 06s) rounded out the team.

There was a large army of Benfleet RC members in Chelmsford.

First across the line for them, in fifth overall, in the V40 category was Terence Spooner with a PB of 35m 39s.

Next across the line, and fourth in the V45 category, with 36m 22s, was Neil Casey while leading the under-17 category was Eddy Cooper with a fantastic time of 37m 12s.

Nick Rankin also ran well to finish in 39m 9s, while the club’s first lady was Angela Hall with a PB of 43m 40s.

Two Benfleet runners took on the Norwich Half Marathon: Steve Desborough (1h 29m 17s) and Tarnia Thompson-Roe (1h 57m 39s).

Other Benfleet results at Chelmsford: Alan Clark (37m 56s), Paul Delaney (38m 30s PB), Kevin Challis (38m 32s PB), Tim Tomlins (39m 37s), Adam Chapman (40m 17s PB), Michael Cerny (41m 3s PB), Andrew Low (41m 5s), Barry Key (42m 11s PB ), Dan Smith (43m 22s), Stuart Mcmeekin (43m 55s), Tom Robinson (44m 57s PB), Stephen Burton (45m 12s), Daniel Lyons (47m 19s), Graeme Robin Newman (47m 35s), Mohammed Shofiuzzaman (47m 54s PB), Hugh Lovett (48m 16s), Morgan Reddish (49m 42s), Kelly McClenaghan (49m 45s PB), Samantha Challs (50m 26s PB), Darren Emmett (53m 1s), Bob Chapman (53m 49s), Karen McMeekin (54m 37s), Audrey Morris (55m 33s), Laura Williams (55m 55s PB).

Two Benfleet runners took on the Norwich Half Marathon: Steve Desborough (1h 29m 17s) and Tarnia Thompson-Roe (1h 57m 39s).

Twenty-one Rochford Running Club members braved the elements The runners were mixed ability, with some taking part in their first 10k having graduated from the club’s beginners group. Damien Harvey was first home with an impressive time of 40m 24s, followed by James Bowker in 43m 16s. First lady was Steph Ager with a new PB inside 48 minutes.

Six Pitsea RC members braved the miserable conditions, with Andy Doig leading them home in a season’s best of 39m 43s.

Cheryl Macdonald was first Pitsea lady in 51m 46s.

Other Pitsea results: Peter Chaplin (53m 15s), Keith Passingham (56m 49s), Teresa Flannigan (57m 17s), Angela Smith (62m 22s).