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.