FIVE of the top female runners from the Saffron Striders dominated proceedings at the first race in the Harlow 5K series – claiming half of the top 10 places. Fresh from her storming performance at the London Marathon, at which she not only smashed her p

FIVE of the top female runners from the Saffron Striders dominated proceedings at the first race in the Harlow 5K series - claiming half of the top 10 places.

Fresh from her storming performance at the London Marathon, at which she not only smashed her previous personal best but also recorded a time so good she claimed an automatic place in next year's race from UK Athletics, Fiona Tideswell saw off all opposition to win the 5km race in a blistering 19min 59sec at the weekend.

Seven seconds behind her was Fiona Halls, who was second out of the 61 runners, while Carole Anastasi ran a superb 20min 44sec for fourth place.

Rebecca White was in fifth place in 21mins 5secs and Claire Waters rounded off an astonishing result for the Saffron Walden-based running club with a time of 21min 14sec for seventh position.

Unsurprisingly, the Striders won the team prize and are in a strong position going into the second race of the season.

This victory comes after impressive performances from club members at the recent Ashdon 10K - a popular 10.8km race which forms part of the Striders' club championship and saw 26 club members among the 148 strong field.

The race was won by the Striders' Andrew Mynott who brushed off all competition to come home in 39min 17sec. Nigel Coates was the second Strider home, and 12th overall, in 44min 57sec, while Steve White and Stephane Toussenel claimed the next two spots in 45min 9sec and 45min 21sec respectively.

Fiona Halls added to her medal tally, finishing as second female and 16th overall in 45min 33sec. The remaining 21 Striders put in committed performances to demonstrate why the club is one of the best in the region.

New members are always welcome at the Saffron Striders. Meet at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre for a group run at 8pm every Tuesday. Thursday evening and Saturday morning training sessions are also held.

Visit www.saffronstriders.org.uk for further information.