THE fading black and white pictures capture a historic event, competitors gathering for the start of the first Hampshire Marathon of 1908 and the winner bursting through the tape at the finishing line.

Though in truth it would have breached the Trades Description Act as it was run over a distance of 20 miles and not the traditional 26 miles and 385 yards.

The race had caught the imagination of the public. Special excursion trains from outside the county were packed and Winchester had never witnessed such scenes with thousands thronging the streets as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the field who had set off from near the Junction Hotel, Eastleigh

Though it had only been envisaged six weeks earlier, the race represented a remarkable triumph for the organisers who had worked under the leadership of R Wilkins, a once talented but retired South London Harrier and now manager of the London City and Midland Bank.

Eastleigh itself marked the day in style, with all shops closed. Even the railway works shut down.

Until recently, Hampshire had enjoyed a fine record in athletics and though that standard had somewhat slipped, a glance at the list of entries from towns and villages reflected how much the county embraced the race with more than 100 lining up at the start.

The sun shone from a cloudless sky and the conditions underfoot were perfect with the roads dry and firm. The course took the runners through Allbrook and Twyford, along the canal towing path, over the iron bridge and into Garnier Road, Winchester.

Having stream through the cathedral city, the runners faced the gruelling Otterbourne hill, before tired legs dragged them through Chandler’s Ford and finally into Southampton, with the finishing line at the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club.

The field set off at a fast space and initially was well packed but gradually it broke up and F Webber, a Bournemouth runner, had a commanding lead of 500 yards over the one entrant from Southsea, J Henney, and both looked remarkably fresh as they left Winchester.

Henney was just in front of R Southwell from Southampton, who in turn held a minute’s advantage over the favourites G Aylmer from Bournemouth and T Whitcher from New Milton who were running together.

At this point, only 12 minutes separated 77 of the field, with the straggler well adrift at 35 minutes behind. However, the course had proved too arduous for some runners who were forced to retire by this point.

The whole complexion of the race however changed at Otterbourne.

Henney overtook Webber who dramatically tired on the punishing hill and quickly dropped out of contention.

Predictably Aylmer moved into second place, just head of J Powell, from Farnborough, who had patiently threaded his way towards the leaders and that was the way the order remained as the trio approached Southampton.

It was here however Powell slipped back. Henney was still 100 yards ahead as the pair entered the town but Aylmer timed his challenge to perfection and overhauled his opponent near the Cowherds.

It was here that the outcome was settled, but in the saddest of circumstances.

So great were the crowds that police on horseback had to marshal spectators down The Avenue where some 60 officers were stationed at intervals between Bassett and Stag Gates.

Unfortunately a young cyclist, desperate to gain a better view, strayed on to the course and collided with Henney who crashed to the ground and into the path of a stationary car. Thankfully, he suffered nothing more than bruising but could not continue and was forced to retire, leaving Aylmer in finish in splendid isolation in a time of two hours, four minutes and 29 seconds, followed in by Whitcher who was timed at two hours seven minutes and 44 seconds. L Heath, of Southampton, was third 25 seconds later.

The organisers of the event were highly sympathetic towards Henney who was loudly cheered and applauded as he was also presented with a cup.

Indeed all competitors, who finished the race in less than two and a half hours, were given special Hampshire Marathon medals.

When Aylmer came forward - still looking remarkably refreshed after changing into a suit - to collect his cup, he was lifted on to the shoulders of a stalwart bystander and received rapturous applause.

“All the competitors, who finished the race in less than two and a half hours, were given special Hampshire Marathon medals.”

I feel quite well except for slight stiffness in the knee joints,” he said in a post-race interview. “Of course, I am very pleased with the result and I think I would still have won, even if my nearest rival had not met with the unfortunate accident that befell him. When I passed him, I don’t think he made any effort in response.”

However, the organisers were highly sympathetic towards Henney who was loudly cheered and applauded as he was also presented with a cup. Indeed all competitors, who finished the race in less than two and a half hours, were given special Hampshire Marathon medals.

News of the success of Aylmer and the Bournemouth police team, who had won the tug-of-war championship at the ground, reached their home town and, despite it being close to midnight, a crowd of some 300 people had gathered at the central railway station to greet them.