HALSTEAD Road Runners celebrated their 30th anniversary on Saturday.

Around 100 members, past and present, enjoyed the annual family fun day, morning run and afternoon barbecue at the club’s Courtaulds Sports Ground base.

The day also marked the presentations of around £6,000 to local charities, who benefit from proceeds of the club’s Halstead and Essex Marathon.

The club was established in 1985 by a group of six or seven like-minded runners from around the town and local villages.

It initially centred around the town’s specialist running shop, Jog-In, in the High Street (now Cost Cutter).

From very humble beginnings, the club now boasts around 100 members and the third-best road marathon in the UK, which is solely organised by club members. There are still active members who have been with the club since its birth 30 years ago, including Andy and Wendy Carter and Don English.

Current club chairman Paul Harrington said: “The club continues to grow and I’m very proud of that.

“We pride ourselves on being a friendly, welcoming club and I think that’s worked to our benefit.

“From such small beginnings to where we are now is just great.

“The club’s marathon, along with the annual cross-country event we organise, are very highly-regarded by participants.”

Halstead Road Runners meet on a Wednesday evening, at 7.15pm, at Courtaulds Sports Ground, in Colchester Road.

Anyone interested in joining should contact club captains Jim Clark (07921 312361) or Jenn Langley (07769 997189).