A cool dry summer’s day meant ideal running conditions for the Sway Carnival 5, the first of the Runningtree Series 2013.

A well established course for the evening RR10 race series around open heathland and the enclosure at Wilverley Plain challenged competitors with plenty of hill climbs, writes Malcolm Price.

Eastleigh’s Tom Stevens won with a time of 28min 20sec from Lymington Tri Club’s James Philips (29.00), who had completed a short course triathlon with his club at Bournemouth the day before.

Frank Handy (New Forest Runners) was third (29.41), fronting a large contingent from the local club who support the series during the year.

Another New Forest Runner, Valeria Sesto, was easily the first lady to finish (32.09), 11th overall. Louise Dobby (35.37), was the second, less than a second ahead of another unattached runner, Carrie Crunch (35.38).

The second race in the Runningtree Series, which has always been the Everton 10k, has had to be cancelled due to safety and cost concerns, mandatory road closures now required to ensure safe passage for runners and drivers.

Organisers have transferred that race resource to Avon Tyrrel House near Bransgore where an off-road race will be held on August 31. That leaves three further races – the Hobourne 5, the Milford 5 and the popular Christmas Pudding 10k at Sopley.

There is still time left to pick up a local race this Sunday (June 30) when the Ordnance Survey’s new offices at Adanac Park host the annual Lordshill 10k (10.30am start).