THERE was another record turnout at Saturday's Harwich Parkrun, with 109 runners taking on the challenge along the Promenade.

The leading runners were from Harwich Runners, in addition to two guests from London Frontrunners.

The top-five finishers returned within 20 minutes of the start and Graeme Knott was first home in a new personal best (PB) time of 17 minutes and 31 seconds - 40 seconds ahead of Edward Holland, from the London club.

There is no holding back third-placed Paul Elsley, who is currently going from strength to strength.

He finished in yet another personal best time of 19m 29s.

This was an incredible 20-second improvement on last week’s best time.

The next local club member home was 15-year-old Archie Barrington, in fifth place and just nine seconds off his PB time of 19m 51s in 20m exactly.

The ladies' first finisher was an even greater accomplishment.

Claudine Tisbury crossed the line in 21m 11s - a personal best for her.

To put this performance into context, Knott's age-graded time was 76.21%.

Tisbury's was 85.44%.

She started at a modest pace and cruised past the early top group of runners with no outward signs of effort.

The second lady home, Laura Taylor, came in just a few seconds short of her best time of 23m 16s.

Antoinette Wilson, from Great Bentley Running Club, was third lady to cross the line in 24m 35s.

It was not quite a PB, but a good effort in somewhat humid running conditions.

Several members of Harwich Runners who are regular Harwich Parkrun attendees continue to improve and achieve PBs.

Ian Cottee finished eighth in 21m 6s, which was a PB.

Peter Fraser Hopewell is a regular at the Colchester event.

This week he came to Harwich and was rewarded with a PB of 23m 25s.

He was joined by wife Clare in 32m 31s and, running for her first time at Harwich, daughter Iona, who finished in 29m 40s.

Jeff Higgon and Claire Bransby have competed at Harwich since the event started last August and both achieved PBs this week, with Higgon clocking 24m 3s and Bransby 24m 38s.

New club member Lu Brown ran her first Parkrun in April in a time of 36m 7s.

This week she ran 33m 41s - quite an improvement.

Richard Flutter continues to compete in almost every local race and this week was no exception.

On Friday he was second at the Clacton 5km in a time of 18m 21s.

On Saturday he had an easier run round the Colchester Parkrun, finishing in 23m 37s.

On Sunday he travelled to Southend to join 2,000 other runners in the Havens Hospice Half Marathon.

Despite having run a full marathon only seven days previously, he still achieved a PB of 1 24m 48s and finished 36th overall.

Becky McCorquodale also ran at the Clacton 5km.

She was first lady in 21m 16s - two seconds quicker than her time at the recent Harwich 5k.

Bill Haining continues to dominate his age category (V60) in the Friday five-mile series.

At Stowmarket last week he was once again first in his age group in 34m 24s.

Of the three races in the five-race series, he has been first twice and second once.

The next race is at Bury St Edmunds on June 24.