TWO of the Harriers senior members took part in the Braintree 5 road race on Sunday. Both were delighted with their performances, writes David Staines.

Mick Bumstead, 62, returned 31m30. This equalled his time last year when he won the Essex Championships over the same course.

Bumstead, who only took up the sport seriously in his mid 30s, is a life member of Thurrock Harriers and has a record of County Championship medals few athletes could match.

These include winning the Essex 20 and Essex Marathon and multiple wins in the veterans age groups.

Somewhat unfortunately for the Corringham based athlete there are currently two world class endurance runners who are in his age group and living in Essex: Dave Butler (Billericay Striders) and Dave Cox (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) are capable of winning titles at world level but this would not stop the very competitive Thurrock athlete from taking up their challenge.

Bernie Johnson had his best run for several years recording 35m1 for the five-mile distance.

Bernie was a member of the 50+ team who took medals in the recent county road relay championships.

For all athletics see th THURROCK GAZETTE every Thursday