DESPITE many of the Springfield Striders’ top runners having had a busy schedule lately, there was another tidy haul of medals at the Essex County Championships were held at the Tiptree 10 miles on Sunday.

Just two weeks after her fine run at the Berlin Marathon Nikki Brockbank (65.14) took gold in the ladies’ and V35 categories. Another individual gold went to Gary Rayner (68.06) in the V60 to add to his gold at the Pleshey half last month.

The men’s team took gold yet again and were led in by Scott Cousins (56.30). The consistent Tom Cammack was fourth in 56.48 and the team was completed by Mark Newton in fifth spot and a time of 56.59 which was a remarkable result just a few weeks after having appendicitis. Cousins took the county silver for his efforts.

There were also plenty of bronze medals, with Gavin Allen (57.57) in the V40 just a week after his Bournemouth Marathon success being notable. Rebecca Pittman (73.52) claimed another county medal in the V45 category and was joined by Brockbank and Kerry Marsh to take the team medal.

The men have already retained their Essex Grand Prix trophy and the ladies have a 10-point lead with just the Chelmsford 10K to come.

This weekend will see the club in action at the Chelmsford Marathon, the Wix 5 and the British Fell Running Relay Championships.