MORE than 500 hardy runners battled through some atrocious wet and muddy conditions to complete one of the toughest ever editions of the Benfleet 15.

The course conditions were described as tough, perhaps even tougher, than those 12 months ago when snow covered the 15 miles of undulating terrain.

Organisers tweaked the route, which included parts of the Olympic mountain biking course, and believed they made it better than ever.

A spokesman from organising club Benfleet RC said: “We didn’t think we could top last year’s race with the snowfall, but the weather, and new route has certainly got people talking once again.”

Full report and pictures in Wednesday's Echo. 

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