Conditions were near perfect for running at Halstead on Sunday for the fourth in the McNeil's Intersport Cross Country series of races.Although it was dry with no frost and light winds, the 175-strong field had to contend with heavy going making it a tough and tiring event.

Conditions were near perfect for running at Halstead on Sunday for the fourth in the McNeil's Intersport Cross Country series of races.

Although it was dry with no frost and light winds, the 175-strong field had to contend with heavy going making it a tough and tiring event.

Sections of Broaks Wood were very deep in mud but, despite that, all the runners successfully

completed the five-mile course which started and finished at Gosfield School.

The men's race winner was Robert Malseed of Colchester Harriers with Thomas Payn of Colchester and Tendring runner-up.

Meanwhile the women's champion was Margaret Deasy of Colchester and Tendring, finishing a minute ahead of team-mate Susan McCann, and both runs contributed to their team taking the women's title.

Ipswich Jaffa women were second and Springfield Striders third.

For the men, Springfield Striders were winners with Colchester and Tendring second and Ipswich Jaffa third.

Colchester and Tendring club spokesman John Hyland said: "The club is on the up again and we are getting good results all the way down to the juniors."

Margaret Deasy said: "I have never known such deep mud as on Sunday."

Deasy, from Copford, was a late starter, not taking up running until she was 30, and has had three breaks from training during pregnancy.

Now the mother-of-three says: "I'm taking it more seriously now.

"I started running for fitness when I left university at 23 but never joined a club until I came to Colchester.

"I'm more of a stamina than a speed person.

"My children are nearly seven years, five years and two. It is only this year I have got back into it. I am looking forward to going in veterans' competitions this year. My next target is the Essex Championships."

Results

Men: 1 Robert Malseed (Col Har), 2 Thomas Payn (Col & Tend), 3 Paul Dobson (Spr), 4 Kevin Harris (Spr), 5 Matthew Blacoe (Had), 6 Colin Lewin (Col H), 7 Richard Skuse (Col & T), 8 Peter Pearce (Gt Bent), 9 Geoff Tomlinson (Gt Bent), 10 Martin Rea (Spr), 11 Alf Smalls (Col H), 12 R Cobden (Wit), 13 Graeme Knott (Har), 14 Brian Rogers (Ips), 15 Dave Wright (Col H), 16 Mark Healey (Spr), 17 Vic Spain (Spr), 18 Paul Harris (Spr), 19 Paul McClelland (Har), 20 John Green (Tip), 21 Matt Blackman (Ips), 22 B Matthews (Wit), 23 Matt Knight (Ips), 24 Jason Meachen (Har), 25 Bob Langley (Hal), 26 Stuart Wallace (Col H), 27 Glen Doel (Col H), 28 Kevin Bowles (Gt Bent), 29 Sam Wolton (Hal), 30 Lindsay Broadbridge (Spr).

Women: 1 Margaret Deasy (Col & T), 2 Susan McCann (Col & T), 3 C Hayes (Wit), 4 Tracey Aps (Spr), 5 Val Jennings (Ips), 6 Maria Davis (Ips), 7 Megan Hughes (Col & T), 8 Denise Harris (Spr), 9 Nicola Rogers (Col & T), 10 Lyn Tanner (Col & T), 11 Wendy Carter (Hal), 12 Elspeth Knott (Har), 13 Tracy Turner (Ips), 14 Brigid Wallen (Tip), 15 Liz Cudmore (Col H), 16 Paula Bradley (Col & T), 17 Kate Snowling (Har), 18 L Hellir (Wit), 19 Suzy Robertson (Col H), 20 H Cybyk (Wit).

Club Results

Men: 1 Springfield Striders 98, 2 Colchester Harriers 120, 3 Ipswich Jaffa 208, 4 Great Bentley Joggers 245, 5 Colchester & Tendring 280, 6 Harwich Runners 293, 7= Halstead Roadrunners 284, Tiptree Roadrunners 284, 9 Witham Running Club 392, 10 Hadleigh Hares 527.

Women: 1 Colchester & Tendring 10, 2 Ipswich Jaffa 24, 3 Springfield Striders 40, 4 Witham Running Club 41, 5 Colchester Harriers 60, 6= Halstead Roadrunners 68, Harwich Runners 68, 8 Great Bentley Joggers 94, 9 Tiptree Roadrunners 232, 10 Hadleigh Hares 393.

Overall scores: 1 Springfield Striders 138, 2 Colchester Harriers 180, 3 Ipswich Jaffa 232, 4 Colchester & Tendring 290, 5 Great Bentley Joggers 339, 6 Harwich Runners 361, 7 Witham Running Club 433, 8 Halstead Roadrunners 452, 9 Tiptree Roadrunners 616, 10 Hadleigh Hares 920.

Pool A: 1= Ipswich Jaffa 37, Springfield Striders 37, 3 Colchester Harriers 34, 4 Harwich Runners 26, 5 Tiptree Roadrunners 18.

Pool B: 1 Colchester & Tendring 22, 2 Great Bentley Joggers 20, 3= Halstead Roadrunners 10, Witham Running Club 10, 5 Hadleigh Hares 6.