GALLERY Birthday girl Charlotte Smith won her second race in two days, thanks to an impressive performance at the “Round Island Race” on Mersea Island.Following hot on the heels of her win at the Brantham Five, Smith completed a double success on her 31st birthday.

Carl Marston

BIRTHDAY girl Charlotte Smith won her second race in two days, thanks to an impressive performance at the “Round Island Race” on Mersea Island.

Following hot on the heels of her win at the Brantham Five, Smith completed a double success on her 31st birthday.

She covered the windswept 12.5-mile course around Mersea, on sea-walls, along paths and across the beach, in a fine time of 1hr 30mins 27secs, overhauling two female competitors on the beach section.

In fact, Smith could well soon be a rival to team-mate Sarah Stradling for the title of Colchester Harriers' top female road runner on the Essex circuit.

Tracy Woodyard, of Springfield Striders, was beaten into second place by Smith on that final beach challenge, although she did help the Striders to the team-title. She was supported by Nikki Brockbank and Catherine Dodd, with club-mate Sarah Colbert scooping the over-35 trophy.

In addition to ladies' winner Smith, Colchester Harriers had several other runners in action. Sean Ketteridge, although suffering from a heavy cold, took second position, with David Wright eighth and the first over-50 veteran in 1.30.30.

John Carter, enjoying his first race since the London Marathon, helped the Harriers to the team title by clocking 1.36 for a top 20 finish. Other Harriers were Malcolm Statham (1.34.30), Pat Marsh (1.43.53), Arthur Whiston (1.43.55), Maciej Kozminski (1.36.13) and Rachel Richardson-Wright (2.07.01).

This well-established event, which is organised by Mersea Island Lions Club, was first held back in 1919. This year was the 85th staging of the run - it took a break only during the war years. All the money raised will go to Lions Club charities.