EGDON Heath Harriers Dave Caddy and Stephanie Slade both grabbed top three spots in the Maiden Castle Loop.

Caddy completed the demanding course in a time of 39mins 57secs, finishing just 41 seconds behind winner Andy Clements (Poole AC) and 18 seconds adrift of runner-up Martin Lewis (Poole Runners).

Slade also came home in third spot. She recorded a time of 47mins 20secs and was only beaten by impressive runs from second-placed Alison Hamlett (Runners World) and first lady Christine Thomas (Poole Runners).

There was double success for the Harriers in the female veterans over-40s class where Dawn Critchell (48mins 5secs) and Tracey Ann Baker (49mins 18secs) finished first and second respectively, and that was followed by a fine win by club-mate Sharon Green in the over-50s.

Of the 186 finishers, 98 were entrants on the day and the cool temperatures certainly helped their progress over the roads and tracks of Maiden Castle where a testing off-road challenge was balanced by splendid views over Dorchester and Poundbury.

Race spokesman Trish England said: "We would like to thank everyone who made the Loop such a success again and also our sponsors Sportsgear of Dorchester and Weymouth, and Greenslade Taylor Hunt."

RESULTS First man: Andy Clements, 39.16 (Poole AC); 2, Martin Lewis, 39.39 (Poole Runners); 3 Dave Caddy, 39.57 (Egdon Heath Harriers).

First MV40: Mark Pittaway, 41.13 (RMPAC); 2, Paul Rose, 41.33 (Yeovil Town RRC).

First MV50: Hamish Murry, 44.37 (Lytchett Manor Striders); 2, Nick Brooke, 44.57 (Yeovil Town RRC).

First lady: Christine Thomas, 46.07 (Poole Runners); 2, Alison Hamlett, 47.04 (Runners World); 3, Stephanie Slade, 47.20 (Egdon Heath Harriers).

First FV40: Dawn Critchell, 48.05 (Edgon Heath Harriers); 2, Tracey Ann Baker, 49.18 (Edgon Heath Harriers).

First FV50: Sharon Green, 50.11 (Edgon Heath Harriers); 2, Sonia Chant, 52.25.

First men's team: Egdon Heath Harriers (Dave Caddy, Ian Havgood, John Broom, Allan Trent).

First ladies' team: Edgon Heath Harriers (Stephanie Slade, Dawn Critchell, Tracey Ann Baker, Sharon Green).

Youngest male to complete course: Robbie Leach, 23, 40.58.

Youngest female to complete couse: Stephanie Slade, 23, 47.20 (Egdon Heath Harriers).

Eldest male to complete course: John Guy, 73, 69.36 (Wimborne AC).

Eldest female to complete course: Joan Banham, 67, 84.20 (Dorset Doddlers).