An extra day off means an additional opportunity to run and a few of us made the most of it. Following last week’s exertions at London Marathon there were less of you pounding the pavements and trails than usual but still plenty enough to keep this report writer busy!

When it comes to parkruns there were the usual suspects and the full results can be accessed here however in this report I am only going to highlight a few special achievements and parkrun tourism.

It was great to see parkrun Anna Lyon back taking on Harwich following an injury in January in 26:23 – a time to be proud of. Another reason to be cheerful was Larina Marsh achieving a PB at Clacton and 1st in age cat (27.15). Not sure if they were holidaying together but Gorleston Cliffs parkrun saw  Robin Oakley complete in 20:18 Paul Connell in 21:07. I’ll be giving that one a bask next weekend myself! Richard Moor took on York (19:45) and the Cottons tackled Westmill (Martin 29:31 and Sammy 34:40). The super speedy junior Sharps beasted Alton Water with Connor absolutely smashing it in 23:42 for 6th place and Charlie in 27:29. Continuing with the ladies on tour we had 3 Bentley Babes at Great Dunmow – Bee Harris (31:52), Natalie Martin (38:29) and Mel Willsmore (42:38).

Sunday market the annual Layer 5 one of our very own Craig’s events and as with most years we had a good turnout with 14 club runners (that I’m aware of!) Going from the results we had Josh Beaumont leading the Bentley’s home taking 2nd place in a mere 29:56. Then we had the following:

Gerry Gladden (37.33), Malcolm Statham (36.23), Adam Robey (37:55), Dean Pepper (40:51), Anthea Colsell (47:44) – great to see you back out there Anthea – missed you! Emma Wright 50:24, Tim Clifton (52:59), Sarah Blewden (53:11), Debbie Smith (54:18), Sue Wright (55:44), Belinda Palmer-Barnes and Sammy Cotton (01:05) and Helene Tyler (01:11:52).

Now for Monday Runday and two races; firstly the Big Bear Cider Run (a Company of Runners 10Km trail event. 4 Blues took part with Adam Waller-Toyne leading us home in 56.44, swiftly followed by Paul Carlisle in 56.57 and then both Lex and Sue Sorrell ran together completing in 01:21.

This leads me on to the last race in the report and another regular annual fixture; Witham Running Club’s May Day 10 – on roads and undulating they way Witham like it! From the photos I can see we had 5 racing although only 4 show in the results so sorry Lou Balfour I can’t include your time (well done though!) Those whose results I have managed to find are Craig Slocombe in a far from slow (see what I did there?) 1:03:18, his namesake Mr Mitchell snapping at his heels and giving the highest flying feet photo I have ever seen in 1:04:47 then a lady who goes from strength to strength smashing PBs right, left and centre – Lisa Briggs who completed in 1:12:16  for 4th lady and a 7 minute PB!! We also had Alison Clarke take part (1:50:38).

Well done to everyone who got out there and made the most of the sunshine.