Colchester Harriers recorded a memorable double at Hatfield Broad Oak.

They were competing in the well-known, high-class road race held annually there.

Terrible conditions greeted the 800-strong field, with driving rain and high winds creating a real autumnal feel.

Harriers, though, were in great form and the most consistent Essex road athlete over the last 15 years, Adrian Mussett, again showed his class with a noteable victory in a cracking time of 31 minutes and 41 seconds.

He left the rest of the field - including local pretender to the crown Crispin Bloomfield - trailing far behind.

Mussett's run was mirrored by Sarah Stradling - coached by Mussett - and again broke the hearts of the ladies' field with a storming start to win by over a minute in 36m 41s.

Stradling now continues her quest to become one of England's top distance runners with a shot at the Dublin Marathon in October, where Harriers will be attempting to take the ladies' team prize with the new long-distance group in training for the event.

David Wright (34th in 36m 42s) was second over-50 on the day and was pleased with busting the 37-minute barrier for the first time in two years.

Fran Norris (17th) was also in the top three in her age group with the reliable runner clocking a fine 43m 49s with a promise of better to come.

pipping Charlotte Smith (seventh) and Annette Oakman (eighth), now running second claim for the Harriers, had a fine tussle with Smith just pipping Oakman by two seconds with times of 40m 16s and 40m 18s respectivily.

Both girls are aiming for the Dublin event.

Sandy Mcmillian and Rachel Richardson-Wright both ran good races, with Mcmillian clocking a personal best in 39m 34s to finish 75th and Richardson-Wright 51m 41s to continue her recent improvement.