COLCHESTER Harriers' veterans just missed out on Essex Cross-Country League glory as the season came to an end at a cold and muddy Gloucester Park, in Basildon.

Harriers' men’s veterans went into the race needing a win to take the title, which they had never lost before.

However, injuries and absence took its toll and the Green Vests could only finish fourth on the day, losing the league to a strong Havering Mayesbrook team.

However, second in the league was still a good result.

The club's senior men again needed a win to keep alive any chance of taking the league but they were sixth overall, with most of their stars marathon training.

The lady veterans won the fixture, but previous results ruled them out of contention, while the senior ladies produced the performance of the day to finish fourth and avoid relegation for the first time to division two.

Finish positions: Men: 6 Ed Mitchell, 31 Oscar Dawson, 48 Colin Ridley, 55 Alex Sales, 62 Paul Rodgers, 66 Gavin Scanlon, 67 Pete West, 72 Richard Flutter, 78 Paul Preston, 89 Robbie Smith, 106 Simon Morgan.

Ladies: 11 Andrea James, 13 Denise Morley, 16 Ella Neale, 21 Ellie Cumner, 31 Debbie Cattermole, 42 Jo Marks, 45 Rachel Dale.

Under-17 men: Danny Millward 8, Alex Williamson 13.

In the overall season standings, Denise Morley took the bronze, as did Hannah Watson in the under-17 category and Colin Ridley in the over-55s.

Allen Smalls was fourth in the over-45s, as was Milly Presland in the under-15s.

Ella Neale was eighth in the senior ladies.

Richard Flutter won the Mersea Parkrun in 18 minutes and 50 seconds and at Colchester Castle nearly 400 runners battled it out, with Harriers' top runners being Fergus Crouch (third), Ian Haws (fourth), Jon Nears (fifth), Tim Comer (eighth) and David Wright (13th).

At Great Cornard, Tom Cresswell was third and Drew Olley fourth.

This weekend will see the Harriers in action at the 53-12 Cross-Country fixture at Hadleigh, in Suffolk.