ATHLETICS: Previous winner Mike Twomey (pictured) narrowly lost out to Bournemouth's Mike Grist in the battle for glory in the Romsey 5 Road Race.

The well-established event, organised by Concept Sport, suffered from a deterioration in the weather conditions, reducing the regular 500-plus field to just over 300 finishers.

Grist, formerly a Westbury Harrier, traded strides with Southampton Running Club's Twomey throughout the race, but, by the time they were heading back along the Stockbridge Road towards the finish line, he had opened up a six-second gap to win in 25 minutes and 31 seconds to Twomey's 25.37.

Leading lady for the second time was Jo Dering, who travelled from Windsor to compete, with a time of 30.05 secs.

In the team stakes, it was a good day for Southampton Running Club who closed the first three teams in the men's race, squeezing ten runners into the top 32. Pete Davis followed Twomey home in seventh place (27.26) and Neil Hotson was 13th overall and top vet-45 in 28.41.

The women's team prize went to local club Romsey Road Runners. For SRC, Nala Johnson returned from maternity leave to finish seventh in 35.23.

* FOR FULL LIST OF PLACINGS SEE TODAY'S SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO.