STUBBINGTON was besieged by more than 1,000 runners at the fifth Paul Huxford Stubbington Green Runners New Year ten-kilometre race.

Scores of potential runners had to be turned away when the capacity of 1,200 became filled with staggering rapidity.

Stubbington resident Dave Perry powered home just ahead of Tom Buckner with Adam Bridge third.

Perry crossed the line 11 seconds outside the record of 30 minutes, 5 seconds.

First woman home was Winchester’s Lydia Kirk in 36 minutes, 24 seconds, with Sue Bridger second and Tanya Ball third.

David Statham won the wheelchair event and Karen Davidson was the first woman over the line.

The day proved to be a triumph for the flourishing Stubbington club.

The event had previously been awarded grade 1 status by the British Association of Road Races, reflecting the high quality of organisation in the years previous.