HARLOW Running Club virtually swept the boards on Sunday at the first ever Ongar Rotary Club 10k race with first and second places going to Russell Maddams and John Burnett. Pippa Jackson and Tracey Alexandrou finished second and third and first and second vet-50 ladies prizes went to Linda Selby and Liz Martin.

In idyllic running conditions on a fast, flat course there were numerous personal bests recorded with Mike Eaton collapsing as he crossed the line, taking 1min 11sec off his PB.

He soon recovered but as the route did not hold a certificate of measurement, the times will not be eligible for the club records.

Maddams and Burnett took to the front from the start in a remarkably strong field for such a low key race.

Maddams' final time of 32min 51sec was only 11 seconds clear of his team mate who had been in third position until a last-ditch sprint gave him the runners-up medal.

Alan Broughton managed a top-ten place finish, his 34min 44sec earning him eighth.

Friendly rivalry amongst the club's ladies and Elaine Ochiltree, from Latton Runners, helped to boost their times with Julie Morris just 11 seconds adrift.

July 10, 2002 11:00