ATHLETICS: The Third Mel Batty 10k was held on Sunday starting from the Blackshots track and continuing round the roads of Orsett and North Grays.

A total of 121 competitirors completed the course.

The race was won by American Colin Leak, in 32m30s.

In third place, with an excellent run, was Grays’ Chris Wayman. He was in fifth place when he entered the stadium – but after producing a spectacular sprint finish moved into the bronze medal placing.

Nick Trencher, a relative newcomer to the sport, was the first Harrier to finish, in eighth place, with a PB of 39m15s.

Jason Syrett was just outside his PB in 12th, with a time of 39m38s. And 15 year old Luke Strudwick tried his hand at this distance and finished a respectable 31st in a time of 44m31s.

He was just in front of Iain Scott who should be pleased with his time of 44m39s.

Last week Pat Dobbs won the Southern Veterans Half Marathon Championship, for the 70+ age group, in the Burnham Beeches event.

And this week he won Thurrock's only medal by winning the 70+ section with a time of 54m41s and 84th place overall.

Other finishers included David Sales, a renowned Club hurdler of yesteryear, competed for the first time for over 30 years and finishing 49th in 47m46s.

Claire Smith-Allen, well known in local sporting circles mainly for swimming, was pleased to beat the 1 hour barrier with 57m53s.

Peter Johnson, formerly a Harriers stalwart, but now long time resident in Norfolk, produced an outstanding run of 39m18s to finish 9th overall.

He was beaten in the 60+ age gorup only by world class performer Dave Cox.

Former international marathon star Merv Brameld was 74th just in front of Nomad’s stalward Ray Davies.

The women's race was won by Katie Sanders from Cambridge Harriers. Southend’s Sarah Jeffrey was second. Anne Jenkinson was third and won the 35+ section. Sarah and Anne together with Kasai Kostyrka-Allchome took the ladies team race.

The men's team race was won by Woodford Green's team of veterans, Gareth Cavell, Ray Dzikowski and Dave Cox who also won the veterans prizes in the 40+, 50+ and 60+ age groups respectively.

Faye Scott who runs with the Horndon Belles won the ladies section in the 45+ age group and Southend's distance running star Adam Hickey can be proud of his Mum's victory in the 55+ age group.