SUNDAY saw the seventh running of the Round the Rock 10k road race organised by the Royal Manor of Portland AC.

The event started and finished at Portland United’s Grove Corner ground with around 100 people taking part.

The vast majority were local but there were also three French runners competing, and four entrants were over the age of 75.

At the end of the first loop of the course around the top of Portland, a cracking pace was being set by Josh Cole of Bournemouth AC, followed by Jay Withers from the 11th Signals Regiment and Tony White of the host club.

The positions remained the same throughout the race with Cole winning in a near record time of 34mins 18secs. Withers was second in 37.27 and White came third in 38.12.

Fiona Lynskey was the first woman across the line in a new course record of 40.49. Second and third were unaffiliated runners Stephanie Newberry, who also beat the old course record, and Elaine Falcus, in 41.35 and 41.53 respectively.

In the men’s veterans categories, the Over-40 section was won by Brian Fields of Egdon Heath Harriers, Garry Barnes, also of Egdon, took first in the Over-50s and Over-60 champion was Mike Terry of Littledown Harriers.

Ladies veterans winners were Egdon Heath’s Kim Fudge (Over-40), Frances Anderson, another Egdon runner (Over-50), and Joan Royal of Dorset Doddlers (Over-60).

Royal Manor of Portland AC would like to thank their sponsors for the race, Albion Stone PLC and Quay Healthcare Ltd, both of whom have sponsored the race for many years.

Thanks also go to the many club members, their families and non-club members who assisted in the race organisation by marshalling, organising the water station, timing and recording runners crossing the line, setting out the course markers and many other tasks.

Last but not least, thanks are given to Portland United FC for the use of their facilities at the Blues’ Club.