Despite far from easy conditions, 297 of the 341 starters completed the annual Benfleet Running Club "15" Race.
Victory went to Harlow's Alan Broughton in a time of 1 hr. 35 mins. 31 secs -- eight seconds clear of Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club's Andrew McCartney.
The top local finisher was Basildon AC's Greg Deacon who finished a further 22 seconds back in third place.
Loneliness of the long-distance runners : Benfleet Downs form the backdrop as athletes run on Canvey Pictures: STEVE O'CONNELL
The course takes in Canvey sea wall and crosses Hadleigh Downs, parts of which were under water and where the ground was extremely heavy going and muddy.
The return from Leigh Station on the creek path was cold and windy but none of this deterred the majority of the runners who turned up to take part in this challenging but popular run.
"The toughness of the event showed on the faces of each of the finishers as they crossed the line," said a spokesman for the race.
"But with true long-distance runners' mentality they all promised to be back next year and were praising the organisation and encouragement they received from the marshals on the day."
Benfleet Running Club themselves paid tribute to those who competed and those who helped ensure that everything went smoothly.
Published Thursday, January 30, 2003
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