THE 24th running of the Halstead and Essex Marathon proved as popular as ever and ended with a major record being broken.

Organised by Halstead Road Runners, the event also serves as the Essex Marathon Championships so is always popular even with runners who have competed in the London Marathon only weeks previously.

The weather is usually notoriously hot, however, conditions were perfect this year following some overnight rain.

First to cross the line was Matt Spencer from Bungay Black Dog Running Club in a time of two hours 40 minutes 46 seconds.

He was followed by Stephen Peck from Harwich Road Runners in 2:44:20 and Chris Burgoyne from Springfield Striders in third place in 2:45:11.

It was a great day for Springfield with Jackie Stretton breaking the female course record in 3:00:42.

Rachel Sweatt, from Witham Running Club, who is in superb form, was second lady in 3:06:59, while third lady was Melissah Gibson from Ealing Eagles Running Club in 3:12:59.

For Halstead Road Runners, there were some impressive new personal bests (PBs) set and some medals.

James Smith was eighth overall and first back for the club in 2:54:41 followed by Gavin Allen in tenth in 2:57:16.

Allen claimed the Silver Essex County MV40 medal.

Nathan Roulson, who has a long history of supporting the marathon both behind the scenes and on the road, cut ten minutes off his previous best to finish in 3:14:37.

This meant the Halstead trio came away as the Silver Essex County Male team.

There were also county medals for Rachael Roughan, who claimed Bronze FV35 in a new PB of 3:48:50 and club marathon legend Andy Wilmot, who was Silver MV70 in a time of 4:20:46.

Other Halstead results saw Tom Porter back in 3:24:26, while next home was Steve May, who knocked 14 minutes off his previous best to finish in 3:41:03 and was followed just seconds behind by Jon Greenley, also in a PB, of 3:41:18.

Michael Longman crossed the line in 3:54:06, Cat Bennison finished in 4:07:42, Sam Wolton wasn’t far behind in 4:11:31 and Dan Cole, who unfortunately wasn’t feeling his best, finished in 4:35:04.

Rosie Atkins had an enjoyable race, running with some ladies from Halstead Boxing Club and finished in 5:06:23.

There were 374 finishers and the club hopes to see many of them back next year for the 25th anniversary race which is sure to be something special.

Thanks as always went to Halstead Mayor Shirley Diver, who handed out the medals.