THE MARWELL Zoo 10K Road Race clearly demonstrated its growing reputation and popularity with a record entry 30 per cent up on previous years.

The Eastleigh Running Club- organised event had more than 1,000 entries and the children's Fun Run was also a 'sell-out' with almost 300 children taking part.

Both events went off superbly, aided no doubt by the excellent weather conditions.

Although temperatures were a little high for running, it did little to impact the performances of those taking part.

In the men's event, local lad Andy Morgan-Lee shared the early lead with James Baker of Chichester Runners & AC.

Morgan-Lee was not representing Southampton RC but his first string club Salford Harriers.

But, over the first 3K, there was little between him and Baker - before Morgan-Lee, pictured left, gradually used his strength and familiarity of the course to open a gap of 30 metres on the steady climb to 4K.

Once on top, Morgan-Lee used the long downhill section through to 7K to extend his lead and, from there, the result was never in doubt.

He coasted to victory in 32mins, 7secs, with Baker finishing strongly in 33.45. Roy Burgess, of Hercules Wimbeldon AC, took the bronze in 34.38.

Paul Brown, Bourenmouth AC was an easy winner in the V40 category with Alastair Ewing, of Stubbington Green AC, taking silver and Portsmouth Joggers' Phil Guest third place.

Local runner Ian Richardson, of Southampton RC, was the comfortable winner in V50, and there were other superb performances by Rod Smith (City of Salisbury) to win the V60 category, and Hardley Runners' Geoffrey Mills the V70.

In the women's event, Sarah Hill, of Aldershot Farnham & District, quickly stamped her authority on the race and established an early lead.

Hill never came under threat and ran an excellently-controlled race to win comfortably in 36.44.

Given that she was on her own for almost the entire race, it was impressive that she still produced a time that put her in the top 20 men.

Lesley Locks, of Hart Road Runners, showed an excellent return to form to take the second position while Emma Dunham, Andover AC, was third.

The V35 category was a close- fought affair with Reading AC's Julie Rayfield just clinching the title (and 3rd overall) from Anne Rawlings, of Alton Runners. She was in turn followed closely by Debbie Shepperd.

Denmead Striders' Tina Turner was clear winner of the V45 category, as was Heather Allen, of Hart Runners, in V55. Regular winner in local races, Janet Davey, won the V65 for New Forest Runners.

The men's team event was an easy win for Stubbington Green Runners and AC, over Southampton.

The womens result was a much closer affair with Southampton RC taking the title from Portsmouth Joggers by just three points.