COLCHESTER Harriers' Melissa Dowell claimed an outstanding gold at the European Middle Distance Triathlon Championships, in Ibiza.

The experienced Great Britain triathlete claimed the 50-54 age group gold medal in terrible conditions and was also third lady overall.

Harriers' under-17 men finished as runners-up in the latest round of the Essex Cross Country League at Langdon Hills.

They were led by the ever-reliable Danny Millward, who finished in third spot.

He was joined in the successful team by Thomas Palmer 13, Victor Steinward 14 and Ziggy Lampton 22.

Milly Presland was very impressive finishing as runner-up in the under-15 girls, with the improving Madeline Claydon 11th.

Harriers' Veteran ladies team won on the day while the senior ladies were fourth - they were Denise Morley 13, Rebecca Cooke 14, Helen Taczynski 16 and Alexandra Hennesy 35th.

Ramadam Osman swept the field aside to win the Senior men's event by a distance.

He led the team to fifth place overall and the scoring team were Osman 1, Nathan Filer 20, Oscar Dawson 35, Allen Smalls 40, Gavin Scanlon 60 and Robbie Smith 73. Other Harriers to finish were Mikey Smith 78, Alex Sales 79, Pete West 87, Simon Morgan 157 and Andy Taczynski 159.

Charlie Parmenter was 23th in the under-13 boys, while Alexandra Bell-Cobbald is heading for success after finishing seventh in the under-13 girls, with Daisy Rickwood 35th.

Wayne Cook was a fine seventh in the Stowmarket seven-mile road race, with Marie Shirley third overall in the ladies race.

Malcolm Statham completed the Stebbing Remembrance Day 10k in one hour 13 minutes.

At the Colchester Castle Park Run, Jason Gunn celebrated his birthday by winning in 17m 47 seconds in a field of 425 runners.

Other leading Harriers: James Wright 5th 18-09, Fergus Crouch 6th 18-22, Joe Boden 7th 18-23 (Castle personal best (PB)), Angus Holford 8th 18-25, Jon Nears 9th 18-41, Craig Mitchell 12th 19-09, Dominic Nicjewski 13th 19-13, Keith Marley 17th 19-31.

At the Maldon Promenade Park Run, Heidi Steele was first lady in 20-50, with Paul Dobson eighth in 20-12.

Mersea Cudmore Grove saw a first win for Ned Messer in a PB of 20-05.

Russ Goodridge was fourth in 20-27, while Debbie Cattermole was excellent in being first lady home in 22-05 and Mel Moore was sixth in 28-17.