SOUTHEND AC’s team almost missed out on a successful day at the Eastern Cross-Country Championships because of dozens of Christmas trees.

The team were held up on their way to the championships at the Royal Hospital Holbrook, in Ipswich, when a lorry carrying the trees overturned on the A12.

Many of the athletes arrived at the course just in time for the start.

But nonetheless the team still made the return trip to Southend with a trio of silver medals and one bronze.

It was also a good day for Thurrock Harriers, who collected two individual golds and a third place.

The in-form Gemma Holloway was one of Harriers’ two winners, taking a dominant victory in the under-15 girls’ race.

Adam Essa Ibrahim was the other victor, taking the under-20 men’s race.

Southend’s Rhys Gillard was the silver medallist behind Essa Ibrahim – despite being one of the runners most affected by the Christmas tree hold up.

Gillard arrived just in time for his race, but didn’t even have time to pin his number on before the gun went and started 200m behind everyone else.

Nevertheless, the 17-year-old still managed to come through the field to take silver.

Thurrock’s Dennis Cross came home just behind in third and his team-mate Adam Dowmen was fifth.

In the under-17 men’s race, the Seasiders won a silver medal thanks to good runs from Olly Kyriakides (fourth), Ben Franklin (seventh) and Steve Hancock (ninth).

Alex Finch, from Thurrock Harriers, was 15th.

Southend’s Laurence Willmore and Adam Jordan secured individual silver and bronze medals in the under-15 boys race behind Colchester & Tendring’s Jordan Rowe.

Thurrock Harriers’ Gary Cahill finished fifth.

In the under-17 women’s race, Southend’s Sarah Imbush (sixth) turned the tables on Jordan Lacey (ninth). While the under-15 girls, the Seasiders’ sole representative Lucy Kidwell finished in a respectable 14th place.