ATHLETICS: THURROCK Harriers scooped medals in the Under-20s section at the prestigious county cross-counry championship at Hadleigh Country Park.

The borough’s U20 mens’ team took gold.

Muddy conditions greeted the competitors at the venue which comprises the course for the mountain biking at the London Olympics in 2012.

Thurrock’s men took on the challenge and Harriers’ three Adams team had the gusts for glory.

The winning team comprised Adam Essa who was placed fifth at end of two laps of the 8k course, but then dropped back to 9th overall.

Just behind him was fellow Harrier Adam Dawson who came in in 10th place – his best run of the winter.

Adam Dowman battled hard for an excellent 14th place. The team was completed by Abdul Ali who ran a strong race to come home in 16th place. It was the runner’s first race back after a long-running injury and he coped well with the tough conditions underfoot.

Harriers stalwart David Staines said he could not remember the last time that the Harriers’ U20s had won team gold at this championship.

He said: “I knew that the lads were a very strong team and would do well because they all have talent.

“Their standard of running is high and this means that, no matter who had ran. This team would have scored well. I’m very proud of their achievement.

“The course was very hilly which also gave the lads plenty to think about, when coupled with the mud.”

The team was backed up by Chadwell-based Jack Megran who finished 19th l In the Senior men’s event Thurrock were led in by John Green in 36th place. Top performances also came from 41st place David Johnson and Scott Rice who was 47th despite hating the conditions.

Don Lawless was disappointed with his 60th place and Mick Bumstead ran a well judged 69th.

The team were veteran runners Eamonn Shelley (71st) Bernie Thomas (121st) and Steve Kemp (127th).

l Another highlight of the county championships was the Harriers U13 boys. The team finished 5th, but there were only a few points between third place and fifth.

Jody Meredith – in his first race for the club – finished a creditable 15th especially as he didn’t have spikes.

He was closely followed by Gary Cahill 17th, Tyler Chu, another competing for the first time in 19th and Sam Smith in 20th.

There were approximately 40 in the race.

In the U15 Boys’ event Steven Davies was our only representative and found the course very challenging, particularly as he is the bottom of the age group, finishing in 29th position.

In the U15 girls Kira Meredith aquitted herself well to finish in 22nd place, while Gemma Holloway twisted her ankle and hobbled over the line in 45th place.

In Under 17 men, the team finished in fifth place.

Tom Richardson narrowly missed qualifying for the Essex team by finishing in 10th place, but he has another year in this challenging age group.

He was backed up by Dennis Cross in 21st, Alec Finch in 31st and the fast improving newcomer Nick Flemming in 38th.