Langham 20 attracts big field (From Thurrock Gazette)

South Essex distance stars in action

7:20pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport

ATHLETICS: A NUMBER of south Essex athletes building up to next month’s London Marathon were in action at the Langham 20.

The race, which were also the Essex Championships for the distance, is an ideal preparation for 26.2 miles.

The first local runner home was Billericay Striders’ Crispian Bloomfield who finished fourth in 1h 57m 43s.

Southend AC’s Simon Le Mare ran well for a time of 2h 12m 12s and 28th place with team-mates Simon Wilson (2h 18m 40s) and James Campion (2h 22m 30s) not far behind.

Other Seasiders to finish were Neil Hallam (3h 12m 2s) and Debbielyn Hallam (3h 20m 40s).

But the stars of the show for Southend were Vanessa Mathers – whose 2h 34m 21s (PB), earned her the county F45 silver medal and ninth in the UK F45 rankings – and Mel Panting whose 2h 53m 08s, earned her the second silver of the day (F55).

The first Benfleet pair home were Neil Casey (2h 12m 15s) and Nick Rankin (2h 15m 1s).

Six Pitsea members were in action with Steve Ray first home in 2h 42m 43s, with John Tracey (2h 46m 01s) and Darren Chaplin (2h 54m 18s) also breaking the three-hour barrier. Nigel Pointer finished in 3h 3m57s, Andy Chaplin in 3h 9m 50s and Tim Shea in 3h 12m 55s.