A trio of Halstead Road Runners took on the challenge of the South of England Cross Country Championships, which were staged at Parliament Hill Fields on Hampstead Heath in north-west London.

A trio of Halstead Road Runners took on the challenge of the South of England Cross Country Championships, which were staged at Parliament Hill Fields on Hampstead Heath in north-west London.

The race boasts a spectacular start, which makes for impressive viewing for spectators as the hundreds of runners charge forward cresting the long hill.

Over 1,000 men competed over the famously hilly nine-mile course, with Wesley Atkins (522nd) and Richard Candler (719th) representing Halstead Road Runners.

The ladies raced in the same testing conditions over five miles, with Sarah Frost (545th) the sole female Halstead representative.

Meanwhile, Halstead RR were out in force at the latest 53-12 League cross country fixture, hosted by Springfield Striders at Writtle College.

Wesley Atkins (55th) led the way, while Sam Wolton was 85th, which was his best finishing position of the season,

Chairman Paul Hinsley (96th) and Simon King (115th) completed Halstead’s scoring men’s team.

Ian Chandler (124th), Andy Carter (128th), Dan Hollinshead (130th), John Warne (151st), Richard Tiller (155th) and Chris Hill (171st) ensured there were plenty of yellow vests packing out the rest of the field.

Caroliena Cameron was first home again for Halstead ladies, improving by one position on the previous week (19th).

Kathryn Bronson, in training for the London Marathon, was the other scorer in 25th spot.

The remainder of the ladies’ team comprised Melanie Candler (28th), Hazel Buist (33rd), Charlotte King (42nd), Wendy Carter (49th), Lorraine Garnham (56th), Nicole Smith (59th) and Sarah Frost (81st, her second race of the weekend).

Halstead finished third team on the day, in Pool B, for both men, women and in the overall standings.

They are level in second place with Tiptree Road Runners, going into the last race.

However, neither team can catch Hadleigh Hares, who will be promoted to Pool A next season.

Elsewhere, Halstead RR’s Adam Buckle took part in an off-road Hadleigh Legacy 10K, which followed the tough 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike course. Buckle finished in 62mins 33secs.