TWO County Championships in seven days gave Springfield Striders a chance to shine at very different distances.

On Bank Holiday Monday the County five-mile championships were held at Witham and the Striders’ ladies were in fine form.

Liz Davies returned to racing after a long illness to win both the open and V35 gold.

Sam Bilbie claimed bronze and, along with Emily Smith, joined Davies in the gold medal winning team.

Sheila Macaulay picked up another gold in the V65 category and Rebecca Pittman claimed silver in the V45; both breaking club records in the process.

On Sunday the marathon championships were held as usual at Halstead on a very warm day.

Donna Morris, Tracey Ranson and Caroline Adlem won another gold with the winning team. Janet Hill, running in her 160th marathon, took individual silver in the V55 category.

James Smith led home the gold medal winning team with an individual silver.

The team included Gavin Allen (V40 silver) and Pete Robinson, who was making his debut for the club.

Stuart Raven won V40 bronze as he led the Striders’ second string of Alex Manton and Jon Byford to bronze in the team competition.

All but one of the Striders finished the course which was a tribute to their training and to Halstead Road Runners' fine organisation on a difficult day for marathon running.