CONDITIONS were perfect for the 34th Alton Ten and despite the course’s tough reputation, over 500 runners completed the race.

As part of the Hampshire Road Race League, the event attracts clubs from a wide area, as well as local runners just keen on a challenge.

The 10-mile race started outside Treloar’s College before proceeding to Holybourne and the hilly lanes of Binsted, Blacknest, Bentley and Isington before returning to Alton at Eggar’s School.

The overall winner, in an impressive time of 53mins 06secs, over three minutes faster than last year, was Joe Morwood of Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, who was running his first 10-mile road race.

Runner-up was Stuart Holloway of City of Salisbury AC (53-58), followed by Alton’s own, and former winner, Toby Lambert of Winchester & District (54-21).

The women’s race winner was Kathy Bailey, also of Winchester & District, in 1-01-59, almost five minutes quicker than last year’s victor. In second place was Emma Jolley (City of Portsmouth AC) in 1-02-37 and third was Charlie Metcalfe (Ryde Harriers) in 1-04-09).

Category winners: Senior Ladies – Karla Borland, Southampton AC; Senior Men – Joe Morwood, Aldershot, Farnham &?District; Vets Ladies +35 – Emma Jolley, City of Portsmouth AC; Vets Men +40 – Alex Hamilton, Basingstoke & Mid Hants; Vets Ladies +45 – Kathy Bailey, Winchester & District; Vets Men +50 – Graham Bungay, Totton Running Club; Vets Ladies +55 – Lynne Whitaker, Winchester & District; Vets Men +60 – Russell Burton, Basingstoke & Mid Hants; Vets Lady +65 – Margaret Moody, Basingstoke and Mid Hants; Vets Men +70 – Malcolm Reynard, Hardley Runners.

There was a great turn-out from Alton Runners. Their men were led home by Lenny Passingham who finished 12th in 58-32.

Other placings: Carlos Garcia (1-02-11, 30th), Eli Dawson (1-08-09, 84th), Chris Sandy (1-08-17, 88th), Richard Taylor (1-09-51, 101st), Jon Gould (1-12-00, 132nd), Michael Sennett (1-12-22, 138th); Jamie Kilner-Smith (1-14-40, 160th), Jim Armitage (1-17-02, 187th), Dave Eggleston (1-16-53), Michael Pearce (1-20-23, 215th), Amir Savage (1-23-07, 237th), Dominic Nixon (1-24-09), David Molyneux (1-32-18, 276th).

Best Alton Runners lady was Julie Humphreys, who also came 12th (1-11-56).

Other placings: Caroline Chalk (1-14-46, 23rd), Nichola Gordon-Jones (1-15-25th), Beth Swadling (1-18-57, 42nd), Daisy Chetwode (1-20-00, 52nd), Jane Scrase (1-23-35, 68th), Fran Light (1-24-09, 74th), Clare Read (1-25-41, 80th), Felicity Arnaud (1-29-50, 113rd), Rosella Guidetti (1-33-31, 126th), Gemma Langley (1-38-07, 148th).

Alton Mayor Matthew Bayliss presented the prizes.

The organisers were grateful to Alton Lions for marshalling, those Alton Runners and others who volunteered to help, Alton Sports for supporting the race, Town & Country Cars, Holybourne for providing a car for the racing-clock, Alton 8th Scouts and the Boys Brigade for manning the water stations and refreshments.

The race is organised by Alton Runners and Alton Lions and all profits go to local charities.