Athletics: Striders beat bad weather

From the archive, first published Friday 7th Nov 2003.

Nearly 500 runners braved wet and windy conditions to take part in the Billericay 10km race.

The road race, organised by the town's Billericay Striders club, took part on Sunday morning and despite more than 570 runners signing up to take part, many decided not to compete.

Striders press officer Ian Grant said: "Some of them obviously looked out of their windows on the day and didn't fancy it.

"However, nearly 500 people aged between 17 and 70 did take part and that is a more than last year.

"It was absolutely splendid and everybody who took part in the race had a really good time. The race was really well organised and I think all the runners were very appreciative of everything."

The Striders were boosted this year by receiving sponsorship from German sportswear manufacturers adidas, who supplied prizes to the race winners.

Dave Sweet, club secretary and race co-ordinator, added: "It was a fantastic race and it was really helped by the sponsorship we received from adidas, who provided us with rucksacks and water bottles to use as prizes."

RESULTS Women: 1 Emma Calderbank 40.05 (University of London); 2 Beverley Mason 41.11 (Pitsea RC); 3 Julia Palmer 42.24 (Benfleet RC). Female vets 35-44: Amanda Bussey 43.17 (Southend). Female vets 45-54: Linda Clampett 46.19 (Louth AC). Female vets 55+: Maureen Farmer 50.57 (Dartford Harriers AC).

Men: 1 Paul Clarke 35.58 (Woodford Green AC); 2 Crispian Bloomfield 36.12 (Billericay Striders); 3 Jamie Seamark 36.14 (Thurrock Harriers). Male vets 40-49: Kevin Partridge 36.19. Male vets 50-59: Steve Fulker 38.01 (Billericay Striders). Male vets 60+: Len Parrott 43.32 (Havering Mayesbrook).

Published Friday November 7, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo

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