TIMES may have been down on the popular Marwell 10K road race but quality was in abundance.

A bumper field of 865 finishers meant a slow start on the hilly course with narrow lanes, and a hot, sunny day was probably also responsible for adding a few seconds to competitors' times.

Chichester Runners & AC athlete James Baker sped around the zoological Park in under 33 minutes and cruised over the finish line over a minute ahead of second-placed unattached runner Dan Merckel. Craig Grand, also unattached, was a further 48 seconds behind.

But there was an even bigger gap between the leading ladies.

Southampton Running Club's Erica Sheldon took little over 37 minutes to complete the scenic course in front of Havant AC veteran Jane Harrop and Reading AC's Julie Rayfield.

And, on a day when Saints were losing out to Pompey a few miles down the road at Fratton Park - runners from Southampton did their bit to restore some pride by winning both men and women's team event ahead of their south coast neighbours.