Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club's under-15 boys made their mark on the national scene by finishing sixth at the championships in Cofton Park, Birmingham.

Ollie Jennings has been an inspiration to the team this season and he once again showed his remarkable progress as he finished 23rd in a time of 15 minutes and 33 seconds out of almost 400 starters.

Alex Gladley ran particularly well to claim the second scorer's place (61st in 16m 04), just metres ahead of team-mate David Gibbon (66th in 16m 07).

With Jamie Barr unavailable, Lloyd Heard stepped into the all-important fourth scorer's spot and ran his heart out to secure the team's outstanding sixth place in 17m 07. He was followed home by two more of the championship squad as Steven Seward (17m 29) and Andrew Poole (17m 40) came in well up the finishing order.

Star veteran runner and England international Margaret Deasy led the women's line-up home as first Essex team.

Deasy's trademark determination saw her right up there with the best over a tough five-mile course as she finished 25th in 31m 22.

Sarah Stradling came 44th with a time of 32m 11 and Lynn Tanner finished 13 seconds ahead of newcomer Nicola Pyle to come 206th in 37 minutes as the team came 13th from over 50 teams.

Two of Colchester Harriers' young athletes put in a superb performance at the championships.

In the under-17 and under-20 women's joint race, Rosie Harrison was the first Harriers athlete home over the tough five-km course - finishing a fabulous 29th position in a time of 21min 03. Ella Neale was outstanding in the under-13s race - finishing 81st out of 300 competitors.

Published Tuesday, February 22, 2005

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