RUNNERS from a host of Essex clubs took to the streets of Burnham-on-Crouch as they looked to conquer the Burnham 10K.

Last Sunday’s course was mainly on roads but a particularly challenging kilometre took the runners through rutted fields on a breezy day.

Leigh-on-Sea Striders had several strong finishes, with Neil Spicer and Chris McClay both putting in impressive performances.

Spicer was the first to cross the line in 37m 45s with McClay fifth home in 39:14.

Ten runners from Flyers Southend tackled the course, including father Clive Slayford and his two sons Adam and Dan.

Young Dan produced a superb run (37:55) picking up the second spot trophy in a new personal best and he was followed home by Clive (45:26) and Adam (1:00:42), along with Simon Ambrose (50:08), Paul Mansfield (1:01:19), Neil Young (50:11), Sherry Fuller (1:11:25), Mandy Rowley, Julie Coombes (1:05:23) and Vicki Tracy (1:05:24).

Castle Point Joggers runner Mark Colquhoun finished in 63rd place with a time of 50:35 in breezy conditions, commenting “It was a lovely route and a nice breeze.”

Leading the Benfleet Running Club pack was Morgan Reddish, who crossed the finish line in 52:55. Next home was Ladies Captain Sarah Norton (55:41) and bringing up the rear was Darren Emmett (1:00:19).

Twenty Rochford Running Club members gave the course their best shot, with many traversing it for the first time having progressed through the club's beginners groups.

Gary Pitman was the first man home for the club (40:44) while the first lady across the line was Julia Davison (53:45). The club’s other results were: Mark Robertson 50:20, Martin McKean 53:17, Keely Sinclair 59:16, Sue Meredith 1:01:25, Debbie Catt 1:03:56, Emma George 1:06:42, Preiti Sidhu 1:07:46, Gillian Bundock 1:07:48, Laura Dunstan 1:08:27, Jade Britton 1:10:17, Melanie Tomlinson 1:11:57, Claire Twidell 1:11:57, Shelley Edmeades 1:19:15, Judith Clark 1:19:37, Barbara King 1:19:37, Anne Ruddell 1:19:37, Emma Mead 1:19:48 and Jenny Sexton 1:19:51.