THE annual Boxing Day Crown to Crown Fun Run attracted nearly 300 entries this year. Among them 22 connected with the Harriers. Many of the serious athletes were warming up for this weekends County Championships where many of them will be vying for a place in the County Team.
Alec Finch led home the Thurrock squad finishing 5th in 18m8s, an excellent time in the muddy conditions. In 7th place was David Johnson with a time of 18m35s. Jodie Meredith in 11th place could vie for a place in the under 15s County team provided his football commitments permit. Thurrock’s strong under 13 group of boys did well. Jack Exley was 15th in 20m20s, Harry Parker, just 11 years old, was 21st in 20m40s and Reece Scott was 31st in 21m30s.
Another under 15 boy, Sam Smith, who has improve dramatically in recent months finished 13th in 19m30s and should feature strongly in this weekends County Championships.
Other finishers Antony Tobin 18th 20m34s, Mick Bumstead 26th 21m13s, Marc Tobin 32nd 21m39s, John Russell 37th 22m8s, Taylor Newall 40th 22m14s, Liam Appleyard 43rd in 22m32s, Iain Scott 57th 23m6s, Hayley Instance (age 11) 58th 23m7s, Nigel Instance 59th 23m7, Bernie Johnson 60th 23m8s, Kiera Scott (age 10) 67th 24m, Ike Smith 71st 24m17s, Keira Meredith (under 15) 73rd 24m28, Kelvin Stone 136th 27m3s, Charlotte Edwards 150th 28m6s.
The County Championships take place in Colchester this weekend. First race is at 11.00 a.m. The under 13 boys have a good chance of medals in their race as have the under 15 boys. The senior women will be led by Joanne Wilkinson who is the reigning champion. Joanne was brought up in Grays and ran for the Harriers until she was 24 years old. Since then she has earned International vests for track, road and cross country and will lead a strong senior ladies team.
