A cold breeze refreshed the 400 runners, including some from Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners, taking part in the Essex Championship 20 mile road race on Sunday.

Dunmow Broadcast: Alistair Brown (right) and James Bosher (left) from GFDR competed on sunday in the MK half marathonAlistair Brown (right) and James Bosher (left) from GFDR competed on sunday in the MK half marathon (Image: Archant)

For many of the athletes the event formed part of their preparations for the upcoming London and Halstead marathons.

The race involved three laps along the lanes around Langham, near Colchester.

The race was won by Paul Whitaker of Southend Athletic Club in 1 hour 47 minutes 3 seconds.

Paul McKenna was fastest for GFDR finishing in a personal best time of 2:18:48, followed by Steve Read in 2:25:19.

Claudine Davie and Ian Lawson ran together, both finishing in 2: 35:29. Martin Jackson in 2:39:29 was followed by Gillian Robertson 2:46:04 and Simon King 2:49:35.

Alistair Brown and James Bosher from GFDR competed on Sunday in the MK half marathon with 1,550 other runners.

Brown was sixth overall and the fastest vet in 1:16:27 in a new club record and Bosher) was 10th in a new PB of 1:17:57.

Sean Henderson also competed for the club in the 20 mile race with a PB time of 2:33:49.