Five miles is a very popular race distance for runners during the summer heat and, following the end of the Friday Five Series, the recent Brantham five-miler attracted another good field for a Friday evening.

Colchester Harriers’ Ged McMillan and Jim Last, of Framlingham Flyers, both aged 41, were first and second respectively over a tough course which featured an off-road section and a hard hill climb.

McMillan ran a perfect race for the green vests, closing in on the leader with 300 metres to go to storm home in a winning time of 28mins 11secs.

The consistent Last, who is back in form after injury, was just seven seconds behind in second spot, while Stowmarket Striders’ Samuel Burdett took third in 28:20 – just nine seconds separated the top three.

The top five was completed by Harwich Runners’ Robert Reason (28:34) and 19-year-old Paul Wain (28:56), of Ipswich JAFFA. Adam Howlett, a 49-year-old from Framlingham Flyers, also ducked under 30 minutes with 29:36 in sixth spot.

Also to the fore were JAFFA’s Nicholas Clarke (30:00 in seventh), Colchester Harriers’ over-40 veteran Paul Rodgers (30:16 in eighth) and Great Bentley RC’s Tim Ballard (30:17 in ninth).

Meanwhile, a mere three seconds separated the top two in the ladies’ race, following an exciting finish.

Emma Mortimer took first place in 32:55, with Jessie Gooderham, a 21-year-old from Saint Edmund Pacers, second in 32:58.

JAFFA’s Rachel Hamblyn registered 35:10 to finish third lady, followed by Isabella Merritt (fourth with 35:37) and Sarah Clow (35:48 in fifth). Over-50 veteran Nicola Ranson, of Springfield Striders, was the sixth female finisher in 36:28.

In the veteran classes, JAFFA’s Scott MacSephney was first over-50 veteran in 31:50. He was 17th overall. Felixstowe Road Runners’ Mark Ford was second in this category with 31:57.

In the supporting junior event, 14-year-old Joshua Milbourne was first in 6:15, followed by Luke Powell (12) in 6:37.

Framlingham Flyers’ 10-year-old Brandon Barber was third in 6:45, while Ipswich JAFFA’s Freya Wilcox was first girl and fourth overall in 6:46. Jack Izzet, aged 10, was fifth in 7:02.