A TWO man tussle at the front of the Salisbury half-marathon saw City of Salisbury athletic club’s Aaron Wilson eventually just get the better of his speedy clubmate Stuart Holloway.

But he had to produce his fastest ever at the 13-mile distance to retain his title, in one of the most popular editions of the event for years, attracting more than 800 finishers.

Still close together until the final miles, Wilson prised open a gap of exactly half-a-minute at the end, clocking an excellent 72min 42sec personal best to Holloway’s 73.12.

Chris Southern, also from the home club, clocked 78.04 and was only prevented from making it a Salisbury 1-2-3 by a good 76.02 run from Avon Valley’s Richard Ayling in third spot.

Ruth Thom stayed in the winning groove with a fine two minute PB 89.14 to take another first lady award, leading a super-strong team performance supported by Kathy Dudman 91.34 and Jo-Anne Gready 100.21.

Other City of Salisbury sub-two hour finishers were: Lee Syrett 87.00, Clive Smith 91.08, Mike White 91.16, James Ballard 93.26, Richard Larcombe 98.09, Jason Bennet 98.46, Joseph Cornwell 98.47, Andy Budgell 100.04, John Duffy 101.10, Jon Kershaw 101.33, Katherine Hamilton 102.36, Stuart Robertson 103.22, and James Welsh 104.25.

Then came Catherine Steele 106.19, Nick Hudson 106.25 and Phil Perry same time, Nick Willetts 107.09, Paul Slaughter 111.03, Barry Vincent 112.33, Mike Warren 116.46, Marie Shone 118.20 and Norbert Weber 119.39.

In the Clarendon marathon between Salisbury and Winchester Phil Smith was the club’s quickest in 4hours 7min 42sec. He was followed by Charlotte Boardman in 4.38.30, Chrissy Gorham 5.18.30, Di Cross 5.46.15 and Liz Roberts same time, and Becky Sneap 7.39.58.