Several obstacles were overcome by organisers Sudbury Motor Cycle Club and riders at the Annual Foxborough Endurothon at Sible Hedingham, following the effects of heavy rain.

East Anglian Daily Times: Nathan Greenaway falls off towards the end of a gruelling event at Sible Hedingham, due to tirenessNathan Greenaway falls off towards the end of a gruelling event at Sible Hedingham, due to tireness (Image: Archant)

Running muddy water on the access road, and in the parking area and paddock, put the event in jeopardy until three lorries from G & B Aggregates arrived with earth, plus a Roller, to make an earth road which held up for Sunday’s race day.

Thirty minutes before the start of the five-hour marathon, the rain returned, making the course even muddier and wetter, so the riders found the going very difficult and challenging.

Of the 36 teams starting, only 21 finished, while in the Ironman Class only eight finished out of 34.

The action in the Championship Class was between Craig Roper/Jack Berry (Sudbury) and Jason Morland (Halstead)/Ben Clark (MX Nationals), with the lead swapping constantly.

Towards the end of the event, which was reduced to four hours, Morland/Clark got the upper hand to take the chequered flag first, completing 30 laps with Roper/Berry second on 28 laps.

Braintree’s Richard Penfold/James Yearley took third place on 22 laps, and the Woodbridge pair of Toby Morley/Craig Page Baker were fourth on 19 laps.

Team Dave Roper team-mates Ryan McDonnell/Jack Nicolaou (Sudbury) won the Expert Class, completing 26 laps and pushing fellow Sudbury members George Eustace/Chris Hart into second place on 24 laps.

Joe Marsh/Mark Mitchell (Halstead) secured third place on 21 laps, while father and son Martin and Nathan Greenaway (Sudbury) finished fourth.

It was a win for Sudbury’s Tommy Clarke/Myles Saunders in the Clubman Class. He completed 25 laps with Michael Wyatt/Tom Morris (Woodbridge) second (22 laps) pushing Liam Philips/Adam Jordon (Army) into third by one minute 27 seconds, also on 22 laps.

James Hockey (Sudbury)/Steve Finch (Braintree) were fourth (21 laps), with Kevin Webb/Ian Head (Sudbury) fifth on 21 laps.

In the Solo Class, Harry Clark’s (Sudbury) machine would not start for a few minutes. However, determined to ride in his first Endurothon, he made his way through the field, completing 20 laps, which was one short of the winner Maciej Berdysz (Sidcup).

Sudbury riders filled the next four places with Darren Nicolaou (third), Rob Clark (fourth), Gary Vines (fifth) and Eldon Jackson (sixth).