CITY of Salisbury’s Stuart Holloway found winning form for the last race of his 2016 season at the ultra tough Brutal race on the Longmoor army training ground near Bordon in Hampshire.

Holloway put nearly a minute into his nearest challenger as he tore through water holes and military barriers on the two lap, 16k course to record an excellent 1hour 17min 14sec finish and secure his first place.

In the aptly named Plain Crazy race across the wide open spaces of Salisbury Plain near Imber, over 12.9 miles of tank tracks and training grounds, also used for most of the year by the military, Ian Shelley used his strength on the long climbs to finish well up with a run of 1hour 27min 02 sec; Andy Budgell stopped the clock at 1.39.10 and Craig Murphy completed the threesome with 1.41.08.

On the slightly easier terrain of the Somerley 10k near Fordingbridge, Jane Whiteley continued her recent fine form when she finished top in her age group with a run of 52min 56sec, and she was followed by Colin Martin with 63.21.

Three more intrepid City of Salisbury distance runners took on the challenge to complete a road marathon at Christmas, opting for the Portsmouth Waterside event around Langstone Harbour.

Phil Perry made his 26 mile debut in a competitive field more than a thousand strong, eventually crossing the line near Southsea in a creditable 3hours 35min 15sec.

David Osment clocked 4.03.34, and Chrissy Gorham was a good 12th in her age group with 4.19.56.