SPRINGFIELD Striders won the Essex Road Relay Championships for the first time in their history on Saturday on the promenade at Harwich.

Scott Cousins gave the club the best possible start to lead on the first leg in the fastest time of the day (15.37). He handed over to James Smith (16.51), who slipped to second behind Ilford AC, but was still well in contention.

Mark Newton (16.10) pulled the white and yellow vests back into the lead before passing the baton to Tom Cammack (16.22) on the anchor leg.

The Striders’ total time was 1.05.00 against Ilford’s 1.05.25 and last year’s winners Southend AC who finished third in 1.07.24. All three clubs beat last year’s course record.

Striders’ V40 squad missed out on gold by ten seconds. Gavin Allen (16.32) put the club into prime position with the fastest V40 time of the day.

Colchester Harriers took the lead on leg two but Gary Chandler’s time of 17.48 meant it was neck and neck. Paul Dobson ran well, but his time of 17.15 was not quite enough for top spot. Havering AC were third, more than two minutes behind.

Sarah Colbert (21.32), Hilda O’Kelly (23.57) and Donna Hindle (23.06) combined to take the bronze in the ladies’ V45 race behind Colchester Harriers and the hosts Harwich.

On Sunday the popular Brentwood Half marathon saw almost 3000 runners take to the streets. Cammack finished second and claimed a distance PB at the Brentwood half-marathon. Sam Bilbie was third in the ladies’ event.