Colchester Harriers scooped six sets of team medals at last weekend’s Essex Road Relays, which attracted a record field of nearly 100 teams to Harwich sea front.

The Harriers had 23 teams in action for an event organised by Harwich Runners and Essex AAA.

The senior men were very unlucky not to win medals. With a new-look young team, including three 17-year-olds, the green vests were just run out of it at the finish, over a 4x5km course, to come home fourth.

Ramadan Osman ran a personal best of 15mins 55secs on leg one, with the other two youngsters Jake Young (16:50) and Oscar Dawson (17:36) both enjoying good senior debuts. Daz Ferrugia (17:08) anchored the team.

The Harrriers’ over-40 veteran men took the gold medals, with Adrian Mussett running 15:41 to take the individual gold medal for the fastest veteran leg. Mussett, back after a long lay-off, was only five seconds slower than the fastest overall leg of the day.

The other team members were Paul Rodgers (17:40) and Mark Harrod (17:22).

The over-40 ‘B’ team just missed out on the medals in fourth slot, with Richard Heath running their fastest leg of 17:22. He was backed up by Paul Preston (18:19) and John Nears (17:37).

The Harriers’ over-50 men took silver and bronze team medals, even though their two fastest runners, Colin Ridley and Paul Spowage were unavailable.

Andy Raynor (18:14) clocked the fastest for the ‘A’ team, supported by Clive Thomas (18:45) and Peter West (18:40), while Martyn Clarke recorded a swift 18:36 for the ‘B’ team in harness with Richard Boden (19:23) and Dan Foster (18:55).

Meanwhile, Denise Morley continues to show that age is no barrier. Morley led the over-45 ladies to gold for the third consecutive year with a terrific run of 19:31. She was also rewarded with the fastest age category gold medal.

Debbie Cattermole (21:21) and Melissa Dowell (22:01) were the other team members.

The Harriers’ ‘B’ team took silver in the same over-45 section, thanks to the trio of Steph Horners (PB of 21:54), Jennie Richardsonm (23:17) and Fran Norris (23:01).

The senior ladies, weakened by injuries, still managed to win bronze medals. Their team comprised Rebecca Cookes (19:57), Stacey Eyres (20:37) and Amanda Henry (21:41).