WINCHESTER & District AC had a successful day at the Hardley half-marathon on Sunday despite miserable, wet conditions. The event was the second race of the Hampshire League and also incorporated the County Championships.

Bev Edwards had a great win over this undulating course, three-and-a-half minutes faster than the second lady in a time of just over 1hr 25mins. She went away with a handful of prizes for winning the Senior and Veteran race and in addition becoming County Champion, adding further to her County 10 mile, 10k and South of England vet 35 5k track champion titles.

In the race itself she led the team of Jane Manthorpe (who recently did a 3hr 29mins Berlin marathon) and Sheelagh Evans who recorded a new personal best.

In the men's event a great number of runners turned out to retain their Hampshire League title achieved last season. Jason Perry led home a winning team in a fabulous fifth place and a new personal best of 74mins 41 seconds. He was awarded a bronze medal as third Hampshire runner and was followed home by Keith Dowson in a good tenth place with Julian Mann 11th and Paul Sidaway 13th. Sidaway earned an excellent County second place for vet 45. Following him home was Keith Taylor who received third County vet award.

The B team of Taylor, George Hide, Andy Finn and Tony Britten also ran excellently to win the B team league.

The C team was led home by Malcolm Green who knocked an astonishing six minutes off his personal best, Andy Carton also recorded a new personal best.