RUNNERS of all ages and abilities gathered at The Petersfield School on Sunday to take part in this yearÕs Petersfield Half-Marathon.
The event was postponed in March because of the foot-and-mouth crisis but 159 runners made it to the eighth annual race which was started by town mayor Ken Hick.
Some 33 people entered the race on the day but LionsÕ chairman Terry Tidd said many of the entrants failed to turn up.
ÒThe numbers were lower this year because a lot of people who entered for the March run didnÕt show up on the day but we were very pleased with the field we had, considering the problems.
ÒNext March we are looking forward to a bumper field.Ó
Next year the event will become part of the Hampshire Road RunnersÕ League which means runners from clubs across the county will be making their way to the school in Cranford Road to take part.
Mr Tidd added: ÒPeople from the league came to check out the race on Sunday and are very pleased to be included in the season of races.
ÒBut we want to make sure that the half-marathon remains a fun race for all those who enter who donÕt belong to clubs.Ó
Among the runners this year was Olympic gold medallist Don Thompson who won the 50 kilometre walk at Rome in 1960.
He was joined by national and European champion in the over 70s category John Taylor and American Flip Connell, who has been staying in England to work in London. He will be making his way back to the USA soon to take part in the New York Marathon.
In the menÕs race James Baker made it home first in just over one hour and 14 minutes. He was followed by Steven Bishop and Paul Phillips.
The first registered female finisher was Kathryn Bailey in just over one hour and 22 minutes. She was followed by Lesley Whiley and Jane Harrop. Michaela McCallum completed the course in a record breaking womenÕs time of one hour 19 minutes and 52 seconds but did not qualify for a prize as she entered on the day. The fastest male veteran was Phil Guest and the winning female veteran was Susan Martin-Clarke.