SOUTHEND 10k winner Paul Whittaker admits it would be nice to see more runners competing at the sharp end of the race in future.

The Southend AC athlete won Sunday’s race in dominant fashion, crossing the line in 30m 58s.

He finished a minute ahead of second-placed Adrian Mussett of Colchester Harriers.

The gaps beyond that were even bigger – even factoring in the extra 200m the rest of the field ran due to a marshalling mistake – with third place Owen Cima three-and-a-half minutes behind and no other runner finishing inside 35 minutes.

“I think I’m in better shape than that,” said Whittaker, 26. “I definitely think I’m in the shape to run 30 minutes. The sessions I have been doing have been really quick, so it should have been faster.

“Maybe if there were more people to run with, to help pull me around, then that could have happened.

“At the moment there is only really myself and Adam Hickey who can run at that pace, everyone else is around 34 minutes, so we need everyone to train harder!”

Whittaker, who will defend his Brighton 10k title next month, is already planning for another stab at the London Marathon next spring.

In the women’s race, Billericay Striders’ experienced road runner Emma Prideaux won a battle with youngster Gemma Holloway (Thurrock Harriers).

Prideaux, who was coached as a youngster by Holloways’s current coach Brenda Stone, clocked 38m 42s with Holloway 15 seconds back.

Southend AC’s Claire Cornwell was third in 39m 40s.