BASILDON AC’s Abigail Ives won her first county title at the first day of the Essex Cross-Country Championships, while at the other end of the age spectrum, Southend AC’s Claire Cornwell also struck gold.

Ives maintained the dominance over her Essex rivals she has shown throughout the winter by winning the under-13 girls race at Colchester’s Garrison.

Cornwell, meanwhile, was victorious in the women’s over-35s race where she got the better of Billericay Striders’ Emma Prideaux.

Elsewhere, there was a bronze medal for Southend AC’s Joanna Rimmington and team medals for both Southend and Basildon youngsters.

Not only did Ives go home with an individual gold medal in the under-13 girls race, she also pocketed a silver medal as the Basildon team packed well behind her.

Hollie Rex (seventh), Sophie Wetheridge (ninth) and Hannah Phipps (10th) all made the top 10 and on most occasions that would have been enough for team gold, but Chelmsford athletes finished second, third, fourth and 11th to take the victory.

Kierra Scott (13th) and Daizy Harris (37th) were also in the race for Basildon.

Thurrock Harriers’ Harry Parker won the under-13 boys race.

East Essex Tri’s Kyle Gill was 13th and Daniel Houchell 17th.

Rimmington finished behind Kate O’Neil (Havering) and Amber Pullinger (Thurrock) in the under-15 girls race.

Abbie Rex was the first Basildon athlete to finish in 20th spot, one place ahead of team-mate Grace Burrell.

Southend AC’s under-15 boys put in a super performance to win team silver medals.

Echo:

The Southend AC under-15 boys silver medal winners

They were led by a terrific run from Thomas Stuttle who finished in seventh place and he was backed up by Sam Norris (11th), Craig Wheeler (20th) and Harry Smith (22nd).

Thurrock duo Taylor Newell (eighth) and Leon Wheeler (ninth) also made the top 10, as did Basildon AC’s Daniel Riley (10th).

In the veterans races, Cornwell was an impressive winner in the women’s race, putting more than half a minute into Prideaux who had the consolation of being the first over-40 finisher.

Billericay Striders’ Christine Howard won a bronze medal in the over-45 category.

Southend AC were well represented in the men’s race with Lee Taylor finishing 10th overall.

Simon Le Mare finished sixth in the over-50s race and his Southend AC team-mate Alex Kyriakides ninth.