13 in a row as Colchester cyclists beat runners in annual festive race

Last week we reported how cyclists in Irvine, North Ayrshire, had continued their dominance in an annual race against runners – and way south of the border, in Colchester, Essex, bike riders are also celebrating a similar victory, for the 13th year in a row.

In all, 130 people took part in the Boxing Day challenge, which pitched people on two wheels against those on two legs on a cross-country course.

It was held at Friday Woods, with individual honours going to 16-year-old cyclist James Jackson, a student at Colchester Sixth Form College, reports EADT24.

Finishing the three laps of a 1.5 mile circuit in 20 minutes 54 seconds, he is the youngest person to have ever win the race. Past champions Ben Paton was second, 1 minute 8 seconds behind, and another former winner, Ivor Burch, third a further 44 seconds back.

Cyclists took the first seven places, with the first runner home being Robert Malseed, also a past winner, in 23 minutes 49 seconds.

A runner triumphed in the women’s race, held over two laps and won by Emma Burgess in 18 minutes 19 seconds, while the under 14/15 one-lap race saw runner Aidan Cahill triumph in 10 minutes dead.

The under-11-13 race, first held in 2013 and comprising two laps of a 900 metre circuit, was won by cyclist Dexter Mansel-Thomas in 6 minutes 3 seconds.

Officials and marshals were supplied by Colchester & Tendring Athletic Club, Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, Great Bentley Running Club and Colchester Harriers.