Billericay start the defence of their South East Essex Cross-Country League title in style

The Striders were clear winners of the first event of the new season at Thorndon Park with Crispian Bloomfield winning the race overall.

Billericay had four other runners inside the top 10, including George Elliott (third), Kieran O’Doherty (fourth), Kurtis Swan (seventh) and Chris O’Hara (eighth).

Chris Howard was the first of the Striders’ women home in second place with Lorna Almond (ninth) also making the top 10.

Newcomers to the league, Leigh on Sea Striders, also impressed. They have been placed in division two and were convincing winners of that category and would have finished third overall had they been in the top tier.

Their ladies team were particularly impressive with four of their squad making the top 10.

Nikki Baynes led them home in third place, closely followed by Andrea Hughes a place further back. Stephanie Simpson was seventh and Katie Spicer 10th.

Matibini Matibini led the men home in ninth place.

The winner of the women’s race was Rochford Running Club’s Lindsey Colman who was a class apart from the rest, finishing a minute and a half ahead of second place.

That victory helped Rochford finish third in division two, with their first male scorer being Neil Hatton in 32nd place.

Benfleet RC were second in division one with their ladies outperforming the men.

Victoria Hiscock led them home in fifth place, one spot ahead of team-mate Catherine Stunt. The first Benfleet man home was George Watts in 12th place.

East Essex Tri finished third in division one. Teenager Christian Gray was their first runner home in sixth position, while Lee Baynton was 10th.

Their first woman home was Rebecca Gill in eighth.

Castle Point Joggers were fifth in division two with Richard Bonham (81st) their first male finisher and Kairen Hart (74th) their first female.

Pitsea RC were sixth in division two. Tony Hyde was their first finisher in 48th place with Terri Howe their first woman (78th).