CITY of Salisbury runners launched the start of the new season with a strong showing in the Hampshire League’s undulating five-mile road race at Overton.

Stuart Holloway was best of the bunch, his fine 27min 34sec performance on a windy afternoon enough for a top ten placing and a good foundation for the team placings.

Veteran Mike Brewster was next counter with an excellent 29.01 that put him top in his age group. William Watson clocked 30.41 and Reece Ingram 31.19 to complete the A team’s promising start in the league standings.

For the B team, Andrew Holme was timed at 31.30, followed by Angus Paton 32.50 and Nick Hudson 33.25. A tussle for the fourth team place saw Andy Budgell with 34.22 just getting the better of Jon Kershaw’s 34.25.

Close behind came Jo-Anne Gready, leading out the ladies’ team with a good 34.32 run that earned her eighth place in her category. Sarah Brewster clocked 35.28 and Jane Whiteley 41.25, this giving Salisbury another firm foot-hold in the league standings.

Other finishers were Phil Perry 36.41, Nick Willetts 37.06, Colin McGuinness 45.50, Colin Martin 49.23 and Diana Charnley 51.20.

Next Hampshire Road Race League fixture is the Solent half marathon on Sunday, October 9.

In the Chippenham half marathon, Ian Shelley crossed the line in 92min 05sec.