SOUTHEND AC athletes swept the board at the Canvey 10km, held in sweltering conditions last weekend.

The Seasiders’ Adam Hickey was the first home while team-mate Kerry Holland was first woman to finish and Dominic Le Mare the first veteran home.

Hickey was a comfortable victor on the day, coming home in 32m 9s ahead of Billericay Striders’ Crispian Bloomfield in second (35m 10s) and Chelmsford AC’s Peter Hawkins in third (35m 27s).

Le Mare was the fourth finisher overall in a time of 38m 36s, which was just outside his personal best, while Benfleet RC’s Michael Whittaker was sixth in 40m 27s.

Next home, and first junior finisher of the day, was Benfleet RC’s Eddy Cooper, 14, who won a sprint with Paul Ruffy (also Benfleet RC) to finish in seventh in 40m 45s. Ruffy was a second further back.

Southend AC’s Greg Jarvis finished in ninth in 40m 56s, also just outside his personal best, while his team-mate Alan Monte was 18th in 44m 17s.

Holland led the women home and was 11th overall in 41m 41s.

Second woman home was Benfleet’s Julia Palmer (44m 27s) with Southend AC’s Jordan Lacey third (48m 19s).

Three Pitsea RC runners took part in the race. Steve Beech was first home in 53m 1s, followed in by Cheryl Macdonald (55m 48s) and Peter Chaplin (64m 48s).