Dedicated runners braved the hottest October weekend in more than a century to pound the streets of Basingstoke in the town’s first half marathon.
More than 1,200 athletes from across the country turned out on Sunday to tackle the 13.1 mile course, cheered on by thousands of spectators.
Felicity Edwards, managing director of Destination Basingstoke which staged the event, told the Basingstoke Observer: “Judging from the feedback we have received it was a successful event.
“We have now got real credibility in the running world and it is a fantastic thing for the community to have taken part in and seen.
“It was a real showcase for the town.”
Former England test cricketer Shaun Udal and former Reading FC captain Ady Williams hit the start buzzer to get the runners under way as temperatures soared to over 26 degrees celsius.
They set off on a hilly course from War Memorial Park towards Cliddesden, Ellisfield and Farleigh Wallop before returning to the park.
Marshals handed out water bottles and some residents turned their garden hoses on the thankful runners.
First home was 32-year-old Alton runner Tony Lambert in 1hr 12mins 31secs, eight minutes off his personal best.
He said: “It was a really difficult run, I have done some half marathons with hills before, but this was non stop. My legs were killing me towards the end.”
He was followed four minutes later by Winchester runner Matt King. The 32-year-old army fitness instructor said the volunteers and fans lining the road had “done Basingstoke proud”.
The first runner from the borough was third-placed Sean Holmes, 40, from Winchester, in a time of 1hr 15mins 51secs.
He said: “I knew it was going to be hilly and hot, so I stuck to the shade as much as possible. The support was fantastic. There were people all over the place cheering you on and that really helps.
The first woman across the line was Fiona Mattheson, 50, from Scotland, in fifth. She holds the half marathon UK record for a female aged 50 or over, but was nearly five minutes short of her best time.
Among the thousands of runners raising cash for charities was town hero Dave Holby, who last year completed his record static row around the world at The Malls. He was running for Basingstoke breast cancer charity, The Pink Place.
