HARLOW members of Newham and Essex Beagles and Latton Runners joined forces on Sunday for the Spooner 10k Charity race.

Sixteen-year-old Ben Hellmers clinched a superb victory with a personal best of 34min 8sec setting a new course record.

Fifth placed Paul Dunne showed he is gradually getting back to fitness with an excellent 37min 10sec while Mark Rogers claimed a personal best of 40min 57sec for 15th spot.

Jackie Socas and Ravenna Brown joined Hellmers among the trophies, with Socas claiming second in the ladies race in recording a time of 43min. Brown was just behind to take third place in 43min 29sec.

The previous week a number of Harlow Beagles travelled to Aldershot for the Southern Counties Road Relay Championships.

Ben Hellmers was again in outstanding form in the under-17 event finishing his 3900m leg in fourth place overall (12min 49sec) while Richard Mead's 3000m leg for the under-15s saw him hand over in 12th (10min 31sec).

The girls also put in some good performances. Jackie Socas ran well for the senior ladies, putting the team up to 16th place on her lap.

Katherine Foy, in the under-13s, achieved a fine 9min 31sec in her 2300m leg for 25th place, while Philippa Haines and Shelley Knight clocked 12min 10sec and 14min 12sec respectively in the 3000m under-15 competition.