OVERTON Harriers held their 25th annual five-mile road race and fun run through the village.
 

Beginning at the Recreation Centre on Bridge Street, nearly 500 runners took on the challenge around the village roads and streets.
 

The day kicked off with the children’s races before the five-mile road race and two and a half-mile fun run took place.
 

Winchester and District Athletic Club completed a double at the Overton five mile road race as Chris Powner won the men’s race and Louise Damen was the ladies winner.
 

Powner finished in a time of 25min 16sec, while Lane came home in 26:46.
Overton Harriers also enjoyed a double success as Mike Bliss was the veteran men’s 55 winner and Cath Wheeler was first in the veteran ladies 50.
 

The first Basingstoke and Mid Hants runner home was David Meacock (26:46) in sixth place, while Overton Sean Holmes (27:58) was their best finisher in 16th.
 

Bliss (28:48) was 26th and there were three other finishers from north Hampshire clubs in the top 50.
 

Martin Groundsell (29:25) from Overton just pipped Basingstoke’s Matthew Shaylor (29:26) to be placed 41st. Overton’s Neil Martin was five places behind in a time of 29:33.
 

Other finishers in the top 100 were David Fry (Basingstoke) 30:10, Keith Vallis (Overton) 30:35, Richard Clifford (Overton) 30:59, Stuart Searle (Overton), Robin Oakley (Overton), Andrew Waddington (Basingstoke) 31:57.
Overton’s Wheeler won her veterans crown as she finished in 32:37 and was the sixth lady overall to cross the line.
 

Organiser Helen McMahon said: “The course is undulating around two laps of the village and is a very challenging course.
 

“This is very much a local community event and was well supported by spectators cheering around the route.
 

“It was a very pleasant day with little wind and cloudy conditions ensured great racing conditions.
 

“There was a high turn out with 482 runners completing the course on a most enjoyable day.”