RUNNERS braved the heat to run in the Bluebell 5 last weekend, with Benfleet Running Club the big winners.

Organised by the Castle Point Joggers in conjunction with the Essex Wildlife Trust, the run went through the Little Haven Nature Reserve with 23 competitors from the Castle Point club taking part in the field of 236.

Benfleet’s James Caldon came home in second place, behind the winner Andrew Reeves (Serpentine RC), while the first lady across the line was Dominque Ballard, also of Benfleet RC.

Joanna Rimmington was second for Southend AC, with Sinead Clark in third for Benfleet RC. The first male veteran home was Martin Hitchcock for Leigh-on-Sea Striders, and the club also took the honour of the veteran ladies winner as well, with Andrea Hughes the victor.

John Sweeney was the first member of Castle Point Joggers to finish, and the first lady was Christina Edwards.

And race Director and club spokesman Chris Cammidge said a fun day was had by all.

“The race proceeds go to the Essex Wildlife Trust and we raised around £2,300,” he said. “This is used locally for the Havens reserve. It was a really good day, raised a lot of money for a local charity, showed CPJ in a good, friendly light and all the runners had good things to say big thanks to all the helpers and our cake bakers.”

Selected results: Castle Point Joggers: John Sweeney 36:53, Cliff King 38:00, Colin Dunn 39:01, Paul Franklin 39:22, Patrick O’Connor 42:09, Christina Edwards 42:14, Mike Hopkins 42:15, Ian Hart 42:27, Lauren Parker 44:32, Brian Butcher 43:45, Gareth Smith 45:20, Jo Hamilton 45:46, Mark Whitney 45:56, Debbie Dunn 48:46, Simon Stevens 48:50, Katie Adcock 48:51, Tracey Bradley 48:52, Kairen Hart 48:59, Tina Victory 49:50, Phil Ransom 51:05, Karen Sweeney 53:03, Jan Steed 54:52, Martin Watson 58:36. Benfleet RC: James Caldon 30:09, Eddy Cooper 30:22, James Hiscock 32:45, Dominique Ballard 34:05, Sinead Clark 35:33, Alan Clark 35:34, Victoria Hiscock 35:48, Ian Pike 35:49, Richard Howlett 36:24, Jacqui Watson 38:38, Barry Key 38:51, Katie Wilkinson 44:09, Mandy Cooper 47:11, Sharon Ruffy 47:20, Bob Chapman 47:28, Annette Johnson 47:28, Lee Allen 51:43, Joanne Key 54:05. Leigh-on-Sea Striders: Andy Prior 34:18, Martin Hitchcock 34:38, Allen Burridge 35:12, Danny Flint 35:41, Gary Brown 36:19, Richard Battams 36:21, Ben Wood 36:22, Richard Mangham 36:22, Stephanie Simpson 36:25, Matthew Rivers 36:27, Andrea Hughes 37:02, Katie Spicer 37:26, Nikki Baynes 38:47, Ronan Quinn 39:27, Brendon Knoetze 39:47, Arran Salmon 40:13, Luke Burkett 40:34, Fiona Walker 41:08, Marc Downham 41:29, Helen Kidgell 41:57, Debra Mangham 42:04, Mark Armitage 42:12, Gary Walsh 44:26, Lorraine Mitchell 44:33, Anne Howe 44:46, Elisha Letley 44:54, Julia Summers 46:33, Jenni Paterson 47:16, Lynn Rivers 48:06, Rachel Geary 48:15, Kerry Slesser 48:31, Tim Ketterer 49:12, Laura McHugh 49:18:, Catherine Patterson 49:47, Ellie Kimber 50:09, Ellen McPhilips 50:10, John Wood 50:11, Zoe Storrar 50:36, Andrew McKeown 51:26, Theresa Phillips 52:30, James Jennett 52:32, Cathy Salmon 53:32, Natalie Lewis 53:44, Jacqui Prigg 55:37, David West 56:56, Maria Wood 57:24, Angela Beckwith 57:24, Rhoda Lester 58:47, Jess Smalley 59:23, Dee Meech 1:00:35, Jenny Steel 1:02:56