BOURNEMOUTH AC’S Joshua King was first to cross the line in the ninth running of the Round The Rock 10k road race.

King, a cross country runner, who was taking part in his first ever road race, finished in a time of 34.47mins.

He was followed across the line nine seconds later by team-mate Jon Sharkey, with John Bassinder of Poole AC third, one minute behind.

The first lady was Charlotte Colly in a time of 40.26mins with Claire Martin of Purbeck Runners second and Kim Lo of Hayward Heath Harriers third.

The first men’s team was Bournemouth AC and first ladies’ team Poole AC.

There were a total of 232 finishers on the day, which is a race record.

The Blues Club, Grove Road, Portland, the home of Portland United, was the venue for the event.

This year the race, which is organised by the Royal Manor of Portland AC, was also the seventh race in the Dorset Road Race League series. The race course is in the shape of a figure of eight loop round the top of the island.

The first short loop of 2.7k takes the runners from the Blues Club round the rear of the YoI and back to Easton Lane.

The second loop to the Eight Kings and then up to the Heights and back to the Blues Club is 7.3k.

By race start time the rain and gales of Saturday night had cleared away leaving clear blue skies and only a strong breeze.

Many runners made positive comments of the race organisation and friendliness of officials and marshals.

A Royal Manor of Portland Athletics Club (RMPAC) spokesman said: “This reflects the hard work, time and effort put in by club members’ friends and families to enable the race to take place. Without this effort races of this type would not be possible.

“RMPAC would like to thank long-time sponsors of the race Albion Stone PLC and Quay Healthcare Ltd.

“Many thanks are also expressed to Portland United Football Club for once again allowing the use of their excellent facilities.”