PAUL Molyneux produced the fastest 20-mile time in the UK this year at the Essex 20 on Sunday. The Springfield Strider stormed to victory in a time of 1hr 45mins 49 secs which was a new course record and club record as he was crowned county champion.

Within seconds of the start he had a 50-metre lead which increased throughout the race and by the endhe was more than eight minutes ahead of runner-up Paul Whittaker (Southend AC). Chelmsford resident Malcolm Muir (Ilford AC) was third.

Striders’ Nikki Brockbank also led from start to finish, crossing the line 84 seconds ahead of Megan Evans (Chelmsford AC), with Sarah Gruber (Invicta East Kent AC) a further two minutes back in third.

Brockbank’s time of 2.13.08 was a personal best and the sixth fastest in the UK this year so far, on what is certainly a challenging, undulating course around the lanes of Langham near Colchester.

There were further gold medals for Brockbank (V35), Gary Rayner (V60) and the men’s team which comprised Molyneux, Mark Newton and Tom Cammack. Silver medals were awarded to Gavin Allen (V40) and the ladies team of Brockback, Sam Monk and Catherine Hull.

A total of 49 Striders completed the course which for many was a stepping stone towards a spring marathon.

Many personal bests were recorded with Kerry Marsh, Louise Baines and Debbie Hitching knocking huge amounts off their previous times.

Siddy Bowring ran the whole race in cricket whites, including pads and helmet, as he practiced for a world record attempt for the fastest marathon in full cricket attire later in the year.