THE Hayling Island 10-mile road race took place on Sunday, and for the first time in several years, it was part of the Hampshire Road Race League.

Consequently, the field swelled to over 550 competitors, making it a tight squeeze at the start on Bacon Lane.

The runners continued through West Town and up West Lane to the two-mile mark, where they turned onto the Hayling Billy, the old railway line.

The halfway point was near the Ferry Boat Inn and there was a stretch along the sea front before the return to Bacon Lane, with a short sprint to the finish line next to the Community Centre.

First home for Alton Runners was the in-form Lenny Passingham in 20th overall with a time of 58mins 44secs.

Alistair Morey finished 55th in a personal best 1-04-44. Then came Eli Dawson in 111th (1-10-10), Philip Scrase 122nd (1-11-27), Jim Armitage 194th (1-17-00), Mike Pearce 198th (1-17-37), Jeff Smart 244th (1-23-26) and Terry Newman 328th (2-02-18).

First Alton finisher in the ladies’ race was Vanessa Lowe who came 30th in 1-12-53 and also first in her age category. Caroline Chalk came 53rd (1-17-07), Jane Scrase 92nd (personal best 1-24-43), Fran Light 112th (1-28-08) and Caroline Freeman 199th (1-41-42).

After three league races, the Alton ladies A team are fifth in the A division 2 and the men’s A are top of division 3. The ladies B team are currently fourth in B division 2 and the men’s B eighth in division 2.