TAMARA Jordan chalked up another victory with a comfortable success at the annual Tiptree 10-mile road race, staged last Sunday.The Stowmarket Strider stopped the clock at 62mins 55secs, which brought her home in 15th overall.

By Carl Marston

TAMARA Jordan chalked up another victory with a comfortable success at the annual Tiptree 10-mile road race, staged last Sunday.

The Stowmarket Strider stopped the clock at 62mins 55secs, which brought her home in 15th overall.

Maxine Oxlade, of Springfield Striders, was second lady in 64.36, followed by Norwich Road Runners' Tracey Curl, who was third in 67.10, as well as winning the over-45 veteran class.

Meanwhile, Crispian Bloomfield retained his men's title, ensuring that Billericay Striders took the crown for a fourth successive year.

Despite competing in the Essex Cross Country League just 24 hours earlier, Bloomfield still eased home in front in 54.05.

He has dominated the Essex road running scene this season.

His closest challenger was Paul Molyneux, of Springfield Striders, who clocked a superb personal best time of 55.03. The Essex club incorporated their 10-mile championships into this event, and so had 32 members in the field.

Several of the big contingent from Springfield celebrated personal bests.

In addition to Molyneux, there were new landmarks for Chris Purse (65.09), June Cordwell (67.16), Pete Mealing (68.00), Nathan Ozols (68.50), Darran Hull (73.14), Catherine Dodd (76.52), Jackie Larner (81.19) and Sharon Bannister (95.52).

Further up the field and Ipswich Jaffa's David Laing was third and the leading over-40 veteran with 56.58, pursued by club-mate Gavin Davies (fifth in 59.03).

Chelmsford AC's Keith Wilkinson retained his over-50 trophy in 60.09, which was good enough for sixth overall, while Roy Farrance, of Thrift Green Trotters, ran 74.01 to top the over-60 section.

Witham Running Club also provided close to 30 runners, spearheaded by a fantastic effort from Alan Pilgrim, who smashed his 10-mile best with 61.41 in ninth spot.

Club-mate Kevin Harper was only 11 seconds behind with 61.52 in 10th spot.

Other Witham highlights included Phil Martin breaking 70 minutes for the first time in 69.18, followed by club-mates Mat Pearson (71.13), Stuart Mills (72.38 in first 10-miler), Jon Kelly (75.32 on 10-mile debut), Dave Jobling (age group PB of 76.14) and Ann Johnson (big PB of 100.31).

Brigid Wallen confirmed her fine recent form by finishing the first Witham lady in 71.24.