The battle for individual crowns in the 2002 Road Runners 10 series is wide open in both the men's and ladies' races as the half-way stage approaches.

New Forest's Chris Olden took the honours in race 4 at Westwood, Netley - staged by Team Solent and Southampton Running sisters - in his second event of the summer-long series. He finished sixth at Deer Leap at the beginning of May.

He was joined by clubmate Anthea Waters on the winners' rostrum. Waters, ladies' champion 1996, now moves up to second place in the overall table after earlier registering two third places to go with her victory.

Olden broke away from the leading group at the start at Westwood and was never caught by the chasing pack.

Wessex's Rob Bentley moved through to take second by the finish.

New Forest bunched three runners into the top four but that was not enough to give them team honours. That went to Southampton Running Club whose strength in depth saw them taking first, third and sixth places with their A, B and C teams.

In the women's race Waters managed a 12-second victory over Southampton City's Karen Rushton who, thanks to earlier performances, holds on to first place in the individual table.

Becky Life of Lordshill started strongly and took the lead but failed to finish.

For the second time this season Hardley and New Forest had equal points in the team event. Hardley were once again given victory because their third runner was home in 11th place compared to New Forest's 12th.

The two clubs are neck-and-neck for the team championship, with Southampton Running Club well behind in third.

Runners are reminded that there is a one-week gap between race four and five which takes place on Wednesday at Itchen Valley Country Park, 7.30, and is organised by Southampton City AC and Winchester AC.

FOR FULL LIST OF POSITIONS SEE THE SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO JUNE 3.