ONE of the toughest races on the Hampshire League circuit challenged a host of City of Salisbury runners.

Reece Ingram and Phil Smith were separated by a mere three seconds at the Ryde 10mile road race, their times a creditable 66min 28sec and 66.31, respectively.

Not far back, Steve Auton was third men’s A team counter with 67.15 and Craig Murphy completed the scoring quartet in 74.21.

Charlotte Ingram led out the Salisbury ladies team with a good 76.55, supported by Liz Roberts in 85.11 and Jane Whiteley 92.10.

The club’s other finishers were Richard Larcombe 74.53, Nick Hudson 79.04, Steven Mitchell 79.05, Jef Hutchby 91.19, Di Cross 93.28, Colin Martin 107.01 and Will Witt 108.01.

Entries for the Salisbury 10mile road race on April 9 have surged in recent days and now stand at well over 600.

Organisers say that admission will close as soon as the limit of 850 is reached.

Jaymee Domoney was highest placed Salisbury runner in the south west schools’ cross country championships at Truro in Cornwall. Coping well with the strength-sapping, soft conditions on an undulating circuit, he did well to take third place among the senior boys, and Fabrice Webb was 49th.

Alex Darbost was 21st in the intermediate boys, and Sam Coles 59th. For the intermediate girls, Isobel Horsfield was 42nd and Louise Webb 59th. Daisy Baker was 45th in the junior girls. Lukas Bailey ran well for ninth spot and Guy Mitchell was 35th.

Brands Hatch was the venue for the south east schools event, where Greg Herring acquitted himself well for 12th spot and Nile Battey was 34th.

All 11 are expected to be selected to run for their counties on March 18 at Norwich in the English schools national finals.