THE Harwich Parkrun has proved popular for Harwich Runners, with members dominating the top ten week in, week out since its inception in August.

In terms of wins, however, the club’s ladies are now besting the men.

Powering home to her second leading lady finish last Saturday was Claire Gooding-Matthews (pictured).

Her five-second course-best time of 23 minutes and 49 seconds capped a raft of personal bests this month and took the Harwich Runners’ ladies’ winning tally to an impressive 11.

This is compared to the men’s eight.

She was backed up in the top-three women by club-mates Michelle Greenfield (second lady in a new course-best of 25m 55s) and Ann Piercy (26m 38s).

Harwich’s men may have missed the outright win, but certainly made up for it by packing the top ten.

Veteran Mark Rutter left scores of younger runners eating his dust as he claimed second place in 19m 19s and a very comfortable win in the V50 category.

Simon Day was third home overall, in 19m 45s.

Junior Archie Barrington is proving one to watch this season and he continued to impress on Saturday, with a fourth-place finish in an 11-second personal best (PB) of 20m 28s.

The recently-injured Steve Burbidge was next over the line in 21m 2s.

Ian Cannons was eighth overall in 21m 37s and Gary Donoghue made a welcome Parkrun debut to ensure six Harwich men in the top ten with ninth spot in 21m 56s.

Francis Mills continued his firm progress on the recovery trail from injury with the biggest personal best of the day, slicing 1m 44s from his previous best to finish 13th in 22m 56s.

Andy Farthing was pleased to break the 25-minute barrier for the first time on the seafront course to finish in 24m 43s.

Elsewhere, Gary Parker continued his string of top-end performances at the Ipswich Parkrun, placing second out of 251 competitors in 19m 54s.

Graeme Knott enjoyed a final outing at the Torrens Parkrun, while holidaying in Australia, chipping eight seconds from his previous time and finishing fourth overall in a swift 17m 17s.