There was disappointment last night at Colchester Garrison's athletics track as an attempt to run the first-ever sub four-minute mile in East Anglia failed.
Organisers were left bitterly disappointed as the field dropped out, leaving only home town star Robert Malseed to attempt the feat.
But the 27-year-old's bid was doomed to failure. Running without support he struggled round in time-trial fashion to record four minutes 29 seconds.
Malseed, of Hythe Hill, said: "Everyone was recovering from the weekend, and Tom Payn was ill. My legs were heavy - it was a bit of a struggle.
"The time can be done, I can go a lot faster, but you need a race situation when a lot of guys are around. Hopefully we'll get that next year or even later this year."
Robert Malseed - failed in his four minute mile bid
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