ACE runs helped City of Salisbury earn valuable Hampshire league points at the Lordshill 10 mile road race.

On roads badly flooded in previous versions of this annual autumn fixture, a dry and windless day greeted the field and made for rapid running conditions.

Fastest of the Salisbury group was evergreen Mike Brewster, whose excellent 58mins 4secs defied his increasing years and was less than a minute from his best ever at the distance.

A determined Ian Shelley was next to cross the line in 65.10 and, with Steven Auton’s 65.36 and Dave West’s 66.43, this was the quartet that comprised the A team.

One of the day’s personal bests came from Mike White, whose well earned 68.09 clipped 45 seconds off his previous mark and led the club’s B team.

Andy Budgell was next with 68.52, and he was followed by Nick Willetts in 69.41 and a welcome appearance by track man Darren Clissold with 71.10 to complete the foursome.

Sally Greenslade was first among the ladies, stopping the clock at 75.37 and, with Kate Mansfield just missing a personal best on 75.07 and Jay Friedlander’s 82.49 trimming a full three minutes off hers, this completed the trio that will set the club’s league standing.

Other finishers were Clive Smith running a relaxed 75.08, Nick Hudson 84.34 and Liz Roberts 85.40.

The next fixture in the 12 race league series is the Gosport half marathon on Sunday, November 15.