There was an abundance of races for Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners (GFDR) to choose from over the Easter weekend.

The Eggs-travaganza of four trail races, in which runners follow written instructions, started on Friday with a choice of distances, 6.6 or 13.4 miles, from the St Anne’s Castle pub in Great Leighs.

The event, organised by Mid-Essex Casuals, attracted 168 runners including 10 from GFDR. Of the 32 runners who chose the longer distance, Ian Lawson was fastest for GFDR finishing in 2hrs 23mins, followed by Kath Birks, Sue Harrington and Gavin Foster in 2hrs 42mins, and Jeanette Hartley and Jane Pomfret in 3hrs 14mins. In the shorter race, John Hardy and Lee Prowse finished in 1hr and Katia and Howard Jardine in 1hr 28mins.

On Saturday, Little Baddow Ridge Runners held a hilly 7.5 mile race. Sunday’s event was hosted by GFDR from The Chequers pub in Felsted.

Lawson completed the seven-mile course in 51mins, followed by John Hardy (59mins), Jules and Stuart Adams (1hr), James Hawkes (1hr 3mins), Gavin Foster, Jeanette Hartley and Jane Pomfret (1hrs 12mins) and Katia Jardine (1hr 21mins).

There was a choice of events on Monday: Springfield Striders’ six-mile trail from The Roundbush pub in Purleigh; and Essex Hash House Harriers’ hash run, where a group of “drinkers with a running problem” followed a route marked with flour.

At Purleigh, Lawson in 54mins was again the fastest for GFDR. Gavin Foster and Hartley finished in 1hr 15mins, followed by Sue Harrington and Pomfret in 1hr 16mins, and Katia and Howard Jardine in 1hr 42mins.

Four GFDR, Hardy, James Hawkes, Paul McKenna and Jason Wintin took part in the hash run. The event started with a tot of whiskey at the Saracen’s Head in Great Dunmow, with more drinks being provided en route. Prizes, including a supply of Brut and a mankini, were handed out at the finish.

GFDR will be holding a 7.5-mile trail race from Great Dunmow on June 8, and a five-mile road race from Great Easton on June 15. Details are on the club’s website.