CONDITIONS for Saturday evening's Bourton hilly half-marathon proved perfect for the 205 runners who made it to the finish on a tough course.

This annual event was again generously sponsored by Bourton haulage firm, Hacklings Palletline, and the club expresses its thanks to them.

The race attracted runners from the surrounding counties and further afield.

Starting from Letch Lane, just off the High Street, runners made their way through the villages of Clapton-on-the-Hill, Sherborne, Windrush, Great Barrington and Great Rissington before finishing by the Rissington road car park.

With the rain holding off, the support from villagers and Bourton Roadrunner members was brilliant. Competitors were enthusiastically encouraged on their way and everyone received a sweatshirt when crossing the finishing line.

This year's race was won by GB international Dan Robinson, who lives at Nailsworth, near Stroud, and is also ranked number two in the country over the distance.

The steep hill at the start was no problem for Robinson who amazed everybody by going up it faster than most people would have ran down it!

After the first mile, he was out of sight of the lead group and had only the lead car for company. His winning time of 67min 7sec smashed the course record by eight minutes.

For the mere mortals , it was only ever a race for second place but, as part of the Gloucestershire road race series, valuable points were at stake.

For the host club, Mike Smith took a leaf out of Robinson's book, making a break before the first mile.

He finished comfortably in second place in 73.25 and also extended his lead in the road race series.

The third place went to last year's winner, Gary Payne, (George Elliot Striders) who was also first vet 40 home in a time of 76.20.

Dennis Walmsley, another Bourton Roadrunner, took the fourth spot and second vet 40 in 76.55 while team mate Alastair Lockey picked up the prize for third senior man in 77.42.

And it was the trio of Smith, Walmsley and Lockey who won team prize. Rob Edwards just missed out as only three counted, but backed up the team with13th place in 84.29.

David Edwards (Saracen AC) took the vet 50 honours with his time of 83.38. Graham Patton (Sphinx AC) won V60 prize with 82.33 while Richard Phillips (Cheltenham Harriers) took the vet 70 category.

In the ladies' race, there was a clear winner with Michelle Parsons (Worcester Tri Club) nearly four minutes ahead, crossing the finish line in 86.24.

Kate Wright (Stratford AC) took second in 90.35 with Headington Roadrunner Henrietta Thorn third in 98.29.

The Vet 35 prizes went to Glenda Edwards (Les Croup-iers) first in 99.35, second Angels AC's Deb Southgate 101.37. Jayne Gillard (Western AC) won the vet 45 category in 105.30. Lillian Carpeatey (Hook Norton)s running club was the vet 55 winner in 125.30.

There was a surprise team win for the Bourton ladies of Kate Hall 96th and 102.57, Julia Rutherford 157th and 116.41 and Gill Carrick 166th and 119.06.

Next home for the club was Martin Jewell who was well pleased with his 43rd position in a time of 92.08.

In his first 13-miler, Rob Humphris did better than expected to finish 94th in 102.51, just managing to outsprint Kate Hall to the finish. Young Bert Jess, in only his second half-marathon, was slower in finishing 137th in 113.22.

Newish member Bonnie Johnson finished well, but could not quite get under the two-hour barrier with 120.40.

And Gill Wilkie, in her first race for a while, finished in 181st and 124.29.