Stubbington celebrated the 26th anniversary of its 10k race in some style as Chris Powner powered home to strengthen his position in the individual standings.

The event was the sixth round of the Hampshire Road Race League and boasted its capacity of 1,800 runners with many more not able to bag themselves a place.

The day itself provided reasonable weather as backdrop with bright sun but a biting Easterly wind that caught many runners as they headed out of Titchfield down to the Coast and Titchfield Haven/ Hill Head.

Over the last ten years Hampshire League watchers have become well used to seeing the black vests of the Winchester team take front rank in their events but at Stubbington it was three vests that took up a somewhat dominant stance right from the starter’s gun.

It was the top two men in the current individual standings that were making all the play at front as both Powner and Andrew Greenleaf along with Tom Payn (all from Winchester) who were chasing the lead car through the lanes of rural Hampshire.

Powner it was eventually who appeared at the front at the Crofton Centre finish line in 30 mins 40 secs, with Greenleaf second in 30 mins 53 secs, with Payn trailing in third in 32 mins 15 secs.

The women’s race had the sight of super vet Lucy Elliott (Winchester AC) running her second race inside 24 hours and still having the speed left to see off the opposition fairly comfortably.

Her winning time of 36 mins 19 secs may not have been UK class but enough to give her a clear margin over Karrie Blake from City of Portsmouth (36.54) another veteran runner showing a clean pair of shoes to Hannah Howard of Eastleigh Runners in third place (37.44) and Liz Hartney of Reading Road Runners (37.50), yet another veteran runner.

For full report, pictures and results in today's Southern Daily Echo