Running conditions were good for the 397 competitors, including 26 from Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners (GFDR), who completed the Pleshey half marathon on Sunday.

`The scenic route took runners from Pleshey, through High Easter and Bishop’s Green, before returning to finish in the village.

Organised by Springfield Striders, the race was also an Essex County Championship event.

The race was won by James Connor of Kent AC, setting a course record of one hour seven minutes 44 seconds.

For GFDR, James Bosher, still recovering from last week’s Berlin marathon, was fastest finishing 21st in 1:20:41.

There were personal best times for Sean Henderson (1:32:12), Kerry Harrington (1:42:21) and Lauren Bowen (2:15:26).

Martin Atkinson won a County silver medal, finishing second in the M60-69 category, in a PB of 1:35:43, while Octavia Singleton in 1:36:52 won bronze in the F35-44 category. GFDR ladies, Octavia Singleton, Kerry Harrington and Pru Hayhow (1:43:12), won the Essex silver team award.

Dan Reynolds finished second for GFDR in 1:25:36, followed by Steve Read (1:28:49), Paul McKenna (1:31:08), David Spencer (1:35:05) and Gerard Geurts (1:37:41).

Jason Bepey (1:40:31) was ahead of Ian Lawson (1:41:44), David Kelsey (1:42:22), Martin Jackson (1:42:51) and John Smith (1:42:52).

Colin Jackson (1:44:26) led home Jason Wintin (1:47:09), Hayley Smith (1:52:51) and Lee Prowse (1:57:54). Angels Thorpe (2:04:55) was followed by Henrietta Butcher (2:06:54), Rosalind McKenna (2:19:38) and Glenda Jackson in 2:21:19.