THE heavy rains took their toll on several local races and sporting events, but the Springfield Striders' Friday Night 5 maintained its 100 per cent dry record on a sunny evening.

The weather did however mean a change to the finish line as a huge puddle covered the usual finishing area.

Matt Granger, of Chelmsford AC, won comfortably by over a minute with a fine time of 26.12, just a shade outside the course record.

The runner up was James Caldon, of Benfleet Running Club, and third and first V40 was the host club’s Gavin Allen.

The ladies' winner Helen Thomsit, of Little Baddow Ridge Runners, also won by over a minute ahead of Anita Cox (first V40) and Kerry Ann Harrington, both of Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners.

Other prize winners were V50 Trevor Sibley (Braintree AC), V60 Martin Atkinson (Grange Farm), V70 Roger Hare (Castle Point), V50 Angela Manley (Witham RC) and V70 Jude Hare (Castle Point).

The two under-18 prizewinners were Mathew Davies and Jenny Chandler, both from Springfield Striders.