THERE was a bumper turnout of 26 Great Bentley Running Club members for the first race in the Harwich 5k series.

Lots of good times were recorded and those in action included Ade Cherry, Brian Telford, Scott Young, Andy Fuller, Charlie Keitch, Gary Hill, Claire Groves, Lesley Fuller, Vicky Law, Luke Groves, Debs Cubberley, Sandra James and Michael Sommerlad.

James Blacker won the junior one-mile event.

Many Bentley members turned out for this year’s Colchester 10k.

First home for the club was Mike Belton, gaining a bronze standard in 43 minutes and 34 seconds.

Eileen Shadford, who has recently returned to running after a long-term injury, finished in 49m 15s.

Marion Simmons, being expertly-paced by husband Michael, gained a personal best (PB) and gold standard time of 50m 8s.

Both Gary Hill and Caroline Searle produced new personal bests of 49m 38s and 53m 46s respectively.

Collecting another club standard, this time silver, with a fine time of 56m 43s, was Bee Palmer Barnes.

Claudia Keitch, who was racing this distance for the first time, claimed a sub-hour 57m 23s.

Other Bentley runners: Mark Ross, Graham Clarke, Kevin Stevens, Anna Mills, Des Bishop, Frank Gardiner, Debs Cubberley, Keith Oakley, John Bush, Sandra James and Linzi Iddon.

Michael Sommerlad (1h 22m 17s) was also in action – still racing at the age of 82.

Charlie Keitch (1h 21m 27s) and Helene Tyler (1h 1m 52s) both showed their spirit, sacrificing their races to come to the aid of another runner.

Another 10k event on Sunday was at Alton Water reservoir. Returning to defend last year’s title was men’s captain Chris Warren.

On this occasion, he was pipped to the finish line, with the first four separated by just 80 seconds.

Rachel Giles, first home for the ladies, bagged herself a gold standard in 48m 17s (PB).

Also running was Claire Groves and she finished 34th out of the 213 ladies taking part, obtaining a bronze standard and a new PB of 52m 34s.

Husband Luke Groves also earned himself a new PB in 1hr 1m 17s.

Others in action were Lindsey Willson, Marc Crittenden, Louise Reeve and Peter Reeve.

Eight Bentley runners, competing in this year’s Essex Championships, took part in the Halstead Marathon.

Paul Carlisle was home safely with a time of 3h 52m 33s.

Next across the line was Steph Horner, gaining a new PB by 1h 9m.

A time of 4h 46s saw Steph achieve a silver club standard and an Essex Championship bronze.

Barbara Law, choosing this event for what is likely to be her last marathon, not only attained another Essex Championship silver but also obtained a rare and precious diamond standard.

Clive Thomas, in 4h 55s, generously put his own race to one side and helped bring others home safely. Emma Town came away with a time of 4h 23m 13s.

Racing this distance for the first time was club coach Darren Horner.

He made it back in a respectable time of 4h 32m 13s.

Next in was Miriam Mark, in 4h 37m 42s, while John McKay completed the line-up in 5h 7m 28s.