FOR Russell Savage, the winner of the New Forest Half Marathon in 1998, there was a sting in the tail.
As Russell flew round the course for a clear victory, he was stung in the mouth by a wasp.
Although clearly in a lot of discomfort, the Hardley Runners member kept on running, still managing to finish ahead of former full marathon winner Vince Stamp with a blistering 1.12.7.
In third was Blackheath Harrier Clifford Keen with 1.14.58.
Kath Bailey from the New Forest, who was running for Havant AC, was delighted at retaining her title with a time of 1.20.07 – almost two minutes faster than her previous winning time.
Kath left her rivals trailing, including second-placed Marlene Pautard and third-placed Jill Durham.
In the full marathon Peter Smith clinched the title with a time of 2.40.52, while Jo Haley took the honours for the ladies in 3.14.55.
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