THREE Colchester Harriers represented Essex at the Inter Counties Cross-Country Championship, held in extremely muddy conditions at Loughborough.

Angus Holford led the way in 85th spot, with up-and-coming talent Ramadam Osman 154th.

Young Milly Presland had the race of the day, coming 85th in the junior girls, while the Essex men's team finished 11th.

Meanwhile, the final 53-12 Cross-Country League event of the season was held at Gosfield.

It took place on an extremely muddy woodland course.

Russell Goodridge led a depleted men's team home in 37th place.

Also running well for the men were Ollie Gifford and Dan Marks.

Andrea James (fourth) was in good form for the ladies, whose team was completed by Jo Marks, Jenny Richardson, Kate Sandercock and Sian Gifford.

In the junior league, Harriers finished third, with Milly Presland the overall seasonal league champion.

Alex Williamson and Grace Gardiner came third in their respective categories at the season end.

Harriers' finishers at Gosfield were: Fourth - Alex Williamson, tenth - Milly Presland, 32nd - Charlie Parmenter, 37th Harrison Leek, 47th - Emily Henderson, 65th - Emily McGill, 79th - Jes Longstaff, 81st - Daisy Bullamore, 82nd - Alice Begg, 83rd - Michael Woods, 86th - Emily Swann, 87th - Rayne Tylor, 89th - Jennifer Woods.

Elsewhere, Cheryl Appleby and Jackie McLlannen completed the torturous 54-mile offroad Chester Ultra.

They faced extreme mud and hard hills and finished in the dark, as runners struggled over the long distance and hard conditions.

Colin Ridley ran four minutes and 37 seconds to win 1,500 metres bronze in the indoor British Masters at Lee Valley.

At the Haverhill half-marathon, Richard Flutter finished fifth and first veteran over 50 in 1h 27m.

Sharon Frost was first overall in the marathon, clocking an impressive female course record of 3h 38m.

Saturday's Parkruns saw 419 runners at the Castle Park event, with Richard Heath the first Harrier home in the runners-up spot.

Max Caulfield was fourth, James Wright fifth and Allen Smalls seventh.

Then came Andy Raynor (12th), Joe Boden (15th), Richard Boden (16th), Jerry Walder (17th) and David Wright (19th).

Chris Smith was runner-up at Mersea while Ffion Harris swept to victory in the ladies' race.

Wayne Cook was runner-up at Harwich, with Simon Morgan ninth and David Hilson 11th.

Nicola Hilson ran well and was third lady.