THE annual running of the Tadley Runners 3k and 10k fun runs saw nearly 400 runners take part over the two events.

In its 23rd year the course saw runners travel around the quiet lanes around Baughurst, Axmansford and Wolverton starting and finishing at the Hurst Community College in Baughurst.

The weather was very hot and humid, but did not deter 286 runners signing up for the 10k and 75 runners for the 3k fun run.

In the 10k race, it was nip and tuck for two runners up to the 3k mark when the eventual winner James Hartop of Serpentine Runners pulled away and to finish on his own in a time of 35min 18sec.

Chineham Park’s Dean Harris (37.09) was second and unattached runner Dave Haydon came third in 37.39.

Basingstoke and Mid Hants’ Matthew Lyness (38.32) won the Men’s Vets 40 race and Newbury’s Wayne Lillis (38.21) took the honours in the V50 race, while Basingstoke’s Russell Burton (39.42) was the V60 winner Burham Joggers Claire Pusey won the Women’s 10k race in 41.48 ahead of Basingstoke’s Mitch Lloyd (43.49) and Phillipa Cass (44.22) of Newbury was third.

The Vets 35 winner was Basingstoke’s Lisa Gottwald (44.51). Sandhurst Joggers’ Collete Callanan came first in the V45 race in 45.57, while Reading Road Runners Lesley Whiley won the V55 category.

Basingstoke and Mid Hants won the team event thanks to Lyness, Andy Goddard and Lloyd The 3k fun run was quite a close run thing until the last 200 metres when the Tom Quinn (12.44) pulled clear to win by 19 seconds.

The girls race winner was Tadley Runners Eve Brown in 13,47.

Basingstoke completed the double in the team events thanks to Joe Wignall, Loki Chaffey and Daisy Allford.

Tadley Runners next event will be the Tadley Runners Reverse Ten Mile road race on Sunday October 15 at 10am.

See the website tadleyrunners.co.uk for entry information.