CITY of Salisbury runners kicked off their new season in the region’s top road race league at the 5mile Overton fixture, where Stuart Holloway took a promising fourth place to lead the club home.

The club have won the men’s championship title for the past two years and have their sights on making it a triple success.

In the shortest race of the 12 event league programme, Holloway conceded the win to Winchester’s resurgent Toby Lambert, who clocked an excellent 25min 20sec to the Salisbury man’s 26.42.

Kevin Tilley and Rob Mann both beat the 30-minute barrier with 29.35 and 29.43 respectively.

Then came Sally Greenslade, setting the pace in the ladies’ event with a fine 33.44, followed by Mike White in 34.26, Nick Willetts 35.29, Sarah Brewster 36.10, Craig Murphy 36.34, just ahead of Mel Holloway 36.44, Mel Murphy 39.16, Rod Smith 39.53, Ali Restall 40.18, Andy Robbins 41.17, Liz Roberts 41.31, Jane Whiteley 41.45, Jacqeline Cheblowski 45.22, Sue Hazzard 45.45, and Colin Martin 47.58.

At the Great North Run in Newcastle upon Tyne, Jon Rich was Salisbury’s quickest on the day with a good 1hour 26min 25sec. Clive Smith showed he is getting back to form with 1.39.59 and Chris Burton was timed at 1.38.49.

For Liz Roberts, the Bath Marathon marked the midpoint in her remarkable selfimposed challenge of completing ten marathons during the year. Unfazed by the mileage still to run, and on a tough multi-terrain course, she clocked a solid 5hours 52min 32sec. Keeping her company, Scott Huntley took an excellent 15th place overall with 4.20.57 and David Osment finished in 5.20.38.