TOTTON’S Nick Buis has one hand on the RR10 off-road running series crown after powering to victory in the eighth round at Janesmoor Pond, near Stoney Cross.

The New Forest venue, which was beset with flooding at the same stage last year, was in tip-top condition for the bumper field of almost 340 runners.

Hosts for the night, Wessex Road Runners and Romsey Road Runners, stuck with a 4.8 mile course that has always proved testing inside the enclosure, with a double circuit that included some tasty climbs.

But the venue’s difficulty proved no problem for reigning RR10 champ Buis, who is back into the swing of things after completing an Ironman triathlon in June.

Buis didn’t have things all his own way, as Southampton starlet Stephen Simpson headed the pack for around three miles.

But the greater strength of Buis saw him eventually prevail, while Simpson plugged on well for second – a one place improvement on his third place at the Marwell race two weeks earlier.

Third behind them was Lewis Chalk from Stubbington, who is on a mission to build for a fresh marathon attempt, while clubmate Andy Simpson followed in fourth to take the first veteran 40 honour on the evening.

The women’s race had the super veteran Lucy Elliott, of Winchester, once again trading strides with the leading men to record another win ahead of Valerie Sesto (New Forest) and Kath Bailey (Winchester) only a few steps behind her.

The team points went to the men of Southampton from Lordshill, while the women’s race was extremely tight, New Forest Runners just squeezing out Winchester AC by one point.

The next race in the series is on August 7 at Itchen Valley Country Park, West End, when Lordshill Road Runners host the evening.