WELL ahead of the rest of the field at the completion of the three-mile loop, Daniel Merckel of Oxford City AC went on to win the Portland 10 in a time of 55mins 07secs.

This was the 32-year-old's third attempt at the 10km road race, with a second place finish in 2006 his best result until now.

Merckel said: "The Portland 10 is a great race and although it was windy and wet, at least we had the wind behind us for the last two miles."

Second spot went to Bournemouth AC runner Mark Hargreaves, 48, in a time of 57mins 15secs.

And he is no stranger to the course having finished runner-up on several occasions.

Hargreaves was followed home by club-mate Jon Sharkey, 26, whose time of 57.36 was his best to date.

First lady across the line was Egdon Heath Harriers' Steph Slade in a time of 65.23.

The 24-year-old, who finished second in last year's race, said: "The weather was rough and I found the wind particularly tough at Portland Bill."

Slade's victory also helped the Harriers claim top spot in the ladies' team standings while Royal Manor Portland Athletics Club placed third, and second in the men's team section.

There were 221 finishers in the SERCO-sponsored event under the starters' orders of Dave Woolford and Tom Savage.

The duo had laid aside their timekeepers' watches after many years to accept the request of the RMPAC to start the race and present prizes alongside RMPAC president Les Ames and Stuart Milnes from Milnes and Naerger, who donated a new award for the first male runner.

RMPAC chairman Dave Sanderson and race director Andy de Haviland said: "We'd like to thank all sponsors, marshals, runners and the people who braved the elements to applaud the runners."

RESULTS Men: 1 Dan Merckel, Oxford City AC, 55.07, 2 Mark Hargreaves, Bournemouth AC, 57.15, 3 Jon Sharkey, Bournemouth AC, 57.36, 4 Ian White, Bournemouth AC, 58.15, 5 John Broom, Bournemouth AC, 58.45.

Under-21: Simon Munro, Uni Portsmouth, 62.13.

21-39: Dan Merckel, Oxford City AC, 55.07.

Vet 40+: Mark Hargreaves, Bournemouth AC, 57.15.

40-44: Mike Feighan, Exeter Harriers, 62.44.

45-49: Mark Hargreaves, Bournemouth AC, 57.15.

50-54: Peter Speiler, Littledown Harriers, 63.25.

55-59: Roy Carr, Poole AC, 66.36.

60-64: Geoffrey Scott, Poole Runners, 70.14.

65-69: Allan Broadbent, Poole AC, 83.30.

70+: Rex Legge, Poole Runners, 74.47.

Senior man: John Goulding, Andover AC, 82.16.

Ladies: 1 Stephanie Slade, Egdon Heath Harriers, 65.23, 2 Abigail Bailey, Weymouth St Paul's 66.56, 3 Jenny Moore, Wells City Harriers, 67.39, 4 Christine Thomas, Poole Runners, 68.06, 5 Janice Palmer, Poole Runners, 69.58.21-34: Steph Slade, Egdon Heath Harriers, 65.23.

Vet 35+: Jenny Moore, Wells City Harriers, 67.39.

35-39: Charlotte Davies, Egdon Heath Harriers, 72.25.

40-44: Tracy Baker, Egdon Heath Harriers, 70.34.

45-49: Christine Thomas, Poole Runners, 68.06.

50-54: Gail Coverley, Egdon Heath Harriers, 82.35.

55-59: Judith Boichot, Weymouth St Paul's, 79.59.

60-64: Rosemary Osborn, New Forest Runners, 84.46.

65-69: Georgina Bennett, RMPAC, 111.19.

70+: Joan Royal, Dorset Doddlers, 86.43.

Senior lady: Joan Royal, Dorset Doddlers, 86.43.

Lady resident: 1 Jenny Maloney, RMPAC, 72.46, 2 Becky Alford, RMPAC, 81.06.

Male Resident: 1 Mark Pittaway, RMPAC, 60.35, 2 Simon Munro, Uni Portsmouth, 62.13.

Don Savill Cup First Prison Service: Sean Phelps RMPAC 71.37.

RMPAC lady club runner: 1 Luan Wall, 76.15, 2 Caron Stevens, 82.40.

Male club runner: 1 Tony White, 64.34, 2 Tony Thorpe, 65.45.

Ladies' teams: 1 Egdon Heath Harriers, 2 Poole Runners, 3 RMPAC.

Men's teams: 1 Bournemouth AC, 2 RMPAC, 3 Littledown Harriers.