AN incredible nine personal bests were smashed during the lighting quick Eastleigh 10k on Sunday as City of Salisbury put their indifferent league campaign back on track.

The fast and flat roads proved much to the liking of many of the bumper entry of 2,600, despite a cool crosswind on much of the course that prevented even quicker times.

For the Salisbury squad, it was a welcome return to form for the leading men as Ben Brewster produced one of his best ever runs to clock a classy personal best of 31min 58sec. Elsewhere, Stuart Holloway ran a marathon-affected 33.41, with Chris Southern just two places back in 33.48 and the remarkable veteran Mike Brewster also secured a pb with 34.19.

It was the same improved story for the men’s B team, Rithy Hy setting the tone with a pb 37.36, and with support from Steve Auton’s pb 38.17, Craig Murphy’s 39.36 and Mike White’s pb 41.03, they breathed life back into their league campaign with hopes of a move off the bottom of the table.

In the ladies’ race, Kathy Dudman ran well to finish in 39.39, then came Sally Greenslade 44.12 and Sarah Brewster 46.42 - giving a boost their league standings.

Other Salisbury finishers were: Andy Budgell 41.21, Darren Clissold 42.36, John Ruskin 44.30, Nick Hudson 45.31, Adam Bradburn 46.52, Liz Roberts 49.25, Jane Whiteley pb 49.42, Andy Robbins 49.43, Helen Stacey 50.06, Jackie Chlebowski 52.41 and Mark Williams 65.24.

There now follows a league interlude until the Alton 10mile on Sunday, May 11.