4:24pm Thursday 28th February 2008
THE annual Winchester 10k road race heralded the end of the winter series of races organised by Concept Sport.
It attracted an entry of more than 900 runners, who probably outnumbered the shoppers in the city, writes MALCOLM PRICE.
Remarkably, this race drew competitors from some distance from around Winchester, a fact supported by the spread of runners attending the winners' enclosure.
The massive field gathered in River Park playing fields for an outward circuit past the mini rugby sevens and up to Kings Worthy.
The single-lap course incorporated a number of hills to the north of the city, none the least at Nations Hill around the halfway point.
Experienced runners used this event as a fitness marker since fast times were unlikely.
The mild weather proved very kind to all the entrants and no doubt encouraged a large on the day' entry to make such a large race.
Once the start gun had fired, there was the now familiar site of Winchester's Toby Lambert surging out alone from the front.
But for once he was never alone for long, finding close company from Jason Simpson (South London Harriers) and more so from his constant shadow, Chris Bolt (Aldershot Farnham & District).
On this occasion it was Bolt, better known for his track exploits, who outkicked Lambert as they headed round the football stadium track to the finish line in 31 minutes 14 seconds.
These were quality times in the history of this race.
Third-placed Jason Simpson also won the over 40 veteran category, while former race winner Mike Trees came 11th to win the over 45 veteran age group.
The women's race saw Woking visitor Joanna Rodrigues win in 38 mins 14 secs from Joanna Emery (39.15) and the first local lady in Christina Tomlinson, who just shaved under the 40-minute barrier.
The men and women of Winchester completed a thorough demolition job on the team titles while performing in their home city.
That was just a day after the Winchester women had won the National Cross Country Championships at Alton Towers.
Local races drop down a key for three weeks before the return of the B&Q Eastleigh 10k on Sunday, March 16.
There, a capacity entry of 1,800 competitors has already been accepted.
See finishing times in this week's Hampshire Chronicle.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisishampshire.net