PETER Newton, from Curdridge, won the Berlin marathon's Over 70 category - to go second in the world rankings.

The 71 year-old recently returned to competitive running after a two-year absence but showed he had lost none of his ability over 26.2 miles.

Newton, a former UK number one in the M65 and M60 categories, was one of 150 competitors representing nearly 30 countries in first first marathon on the M70 bracket.

He won comfortably in a time of 3.17.02.

It was the only British win in the event's 12 male age categories.

In 2005, Newton joined the elite club of Over 60 year-old athletes to run under three hours for the marathon.

His first marathon outside the three-hour mark was in the London marathon's M65 category.

Despite limited preparation he was always confident of beating three hours, 23 minutes - the Berlin's best M70 time of recent years - after setting 5k Park Run course M70 records in 12 races, including Southampton, Netley and Eastleigh.

Newton had a one-minute lead over the chasing pack after 5k and extended his lead every 5k before finishing ahead of Fidecki (Poland), Pochet (France), Hu (China), Höllrigl (Italy) and Jannsen (Netherlands).

Host nation Germany's challenge faded as Bruex, prominent in the early stages, slowed. Bruex was passed by compatriot Heinz Lachmann who finished in eighth place just behind Mohamed Lakhssassi, the leading African runner.

Newton said the race was virtually trouble-free but he eased the pace in the latter stages to protect a calf problem.

The Berlin marathon is one of the world's six major marathons along with London, Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Boston.