IT was a beautiful day for the 50th Harwich Parkrun.

There were 107 runners, of whom 17 were first timers and 32 recorded new personal bests (PBs).

Graeme Knott, of Harwich Runners, was the first male home in 17 minutes and 44 seconds - his sixth win in six appearances.

Club-mate Claudine Benstead was the first female over the line in 21m 11s and it was also her sixth win in six appearances.

Paul Elsley was second over the line in 19m 35s and Archie Barrington, of Harwich, was third in 20m 3s.

The second female was Nicola Pyle, in 22m 15s, and Claire Groves was third in 22m 24s.

Club members who achieved PBs were Norman Gooch, 40m 18s and fourth finisher, Francis Mills, 22m 44s, and Phillip Hutchings, 23m 2s.

Harwich Runner Stephen Burbridge, who got married later in the afternoon, started the day with a Parkrun, finishing in 26m 1s in fancy dress.

Club-mate Ann Piercy has taken part in all 50 of the Harwich Parkruns, while Angela Walton completed her 50th Parkrun on Saturday - 38 of them at Harwich.

Since the event started last August, there have been 750 different runners, including participants from 72 clubs.

Runners have completed 3,582 runs, covering a total distance of 17,910km, and there have been 1,039 new PBs.

A special mention must go to Dennis, Christopher and Diane Warner, Ed and Kellie McCredie and family for setting up Harwich Parkrun and the shear amount of work they have contributed over the last 50 events.

Likewise, thanks to all the people that have helped out with the various marshalling duties to ensure the runners are kept safe and on the correct route.

Elsewhere, Katherine Pleace travelled to Wales and completed the Swansea half-marathon in a time of 2h 59m 59s.

In a quiet week for races, Bill Haining continued his march towards victory in the MV60 category of the popular Friday 5 series.

His time at Nowton Park in Bury of 32m 49s - his quickest time of the series so far - placed him first in his age group for the third time in the four races contested so far.

With just one more race at Great Bentley next week, he must be odds on to win his category.

Richard Flutter switched from road races to take part in a 5,000m track race at Walthamstowe.

Tired legs after all his recent races took its toll but he still finished in a very respectable 18m 52s.