A delighted Sarah Stradling of Colchester and Tendring Athletic Club celebrated a fine first-ever cross-country win in the fifth match of the Sweatshop League held at Hadleigh in Suffolk.

It seems incredible that this was a first for 29-year-old Stradling, who has enjoyed some real success over road and country for many years winning several Essex vests.

Her victory brought her home in an overall position of 28th after a well-judged race that saw her cope well with the hilly course.

Jamie Tanner was next woman home for the Blue Vests in sixth place. In seventh position was the ever-dependable Susan McCann to complete the womens team score of 14 points to give them a fine victory over second-placed Ipswich Jaffa.

The mens race saw some heroics from the teams top two finishers. The talented Liam Murray, just 15, lost a shoe in deep mud during the second lap but valiantly ran on without a backwards glance to lead his team to a superb second place behind Colchester Harriers.

Mat Rees still had a lap to go over the five-mile course when a shoe shed the complete sole and all of its spikes. Undeterred, the triathlete powered on for an excellent 11th place finish.

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Published Wednesday, January 12, 2005

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