A DETERMINED group of runners from Overton Harriers were confronted by blustery conditions and rain towards the end of the South's premier 10k road race at Eastleigh.

Mike Bliss, improving with every race after a long lay-off, finished 19th overall and fourth in the over-40 category, in 32min 39sec. Dave Vosser was 86th in 36:59 and Dave Henery 139th in 38:58, not far away from his best ever to secure the village club's most consistent runner trophy.

Adam Gold, in full training for the London marathon in April, ran a satisfying personal best of 39:32 for 161st place and Eric Tilbury beat the 40-minute barrier by one second to finish in 170th place. Gavin Duncan, recovering from a bout of flu, finished 226th in 41:29, while Liz Sandal-Ball beat her last year's time by 20 seconds to finish fourth in the women's over-50 category, in 43:33.

Club president, 64-year-old John Thomas finished in a creditable 46:55 and was followed in by Dorothy Wicke (48:13) and Moira West (49:27).

A hilly course and blustery conditions, made the Petersfield half-marathon a real test of strength and stamina.

Bliss showed why he is the Harriers' most successful athlete with a remarkable win in 72 minutes. He pulled away at eight miles to win with over a minute to spare.

Mark Simcox, in full training for the London marathon, ran a satisfying personal best of 80:2, while Henery completed the course in 88:0.

Richard Francis felt he could have run faster but was pleased with his time of 90min, while Thomas finished in 107min. Jill Hills, another of the London hopefuls, was troubled with a recurring hamstring injury, which prevented her from running at her best. Nevertheless she completed the race in 98min.

Fast-improving 13-year-old athlete Aaron Harris represented Hampshire Schools in the All England Schools cross country championships at Chelmsford.

Surface mud and blustery conditions made the 4.2k course testing. Harris ran strongly to finish 62nd junior boys out of 336 finalists and fourth counter for Hampshire in 16:18. Lawrence Cox from Aldershot was the overall winner in 14:41 and Hampshire finished runners-up to Essex in the team event.