Eight members of Great Bentley Running Club competed in a record field of over 700 runners at the Halstead Marathon on a tough, undulating course with temperatures in the high 70s.

For one Bentley runner it was an extra special occasion as Keith Scrivener was running his 100th marathon - a feat matched by very few.

Scrivener, who is 66, has suffered with epilepsy all his life yet managed to run in marathons all over the world. And now he has reached the magic 100.

Clive Thomas led the Bentley runners home in a fine time of three hours 35 minutes and 53 seconds, with Mark Ross running very well for his time of 4h 21m.

Barbara Law, despite suffering a heavy fall at mile 15, recovered to finish in a good time of 4h 35m, closely followed by Jo McKay in a time of 4h 45m.

Scrivener was paced around the course by Paul Blackwell and both finished in a good time of 5h 39m, with Keith Porter chasing them hard all the way round, finishing in a time of 5h 50m.

Caroline Porter retired from the race at mile 13 after feeling unwell.

In the second race of the Harwich 5K series, run along the promenade, over-60 veteran Eric Shaw once again showed the younger members of the club that he is still a force to be reckoned with by leading the seven Bentley runners across the finish line in a time of 22m 05s, missing his coveted gold club standard award by five seconds.

Cherie Hipkins, now starting to show past form, also ran very well to finish in a time of 22m 46s, closely followed by Paul Blackwell in a good time of 22m 50s.

Frank Gardiner ran a determined race in the large field of competitors to finish in a good time of 23m 14s.

Don Walsh, making his race debut at this distance, also ran very well to finish in a time of 25m 37s, showing the recent hard training is starting to reap rewards.

Last year's winner of this event, Peter Reeve, was a little disappointed with his time of 27m 16s, although no doubt will not give up his title without a greater effort.

Another club improver, Dave Nugent, ran well to finish in a time of 37m 04s, beating his personal best time at this distance by 1.24s.

Cherie Hipkins competed at the Great Baddow ten-mile road race.

On a tough, undulating course and in blustery conditions, the large field of runners were well supported by the many spectators lined along the course.

Hipkins ran a strong race, improving on her two previous races at this distance this year to record a good time of 1h 26m 23s.