OVER 900 runners took to the streets of St Neots on Sunday to contest the St Neots Half Marathon, organised by Riverside Runners. Starting in Ridgeway in St Neots, the 13.1-mile course left the town, snaking through Abbotsley and Waresley before returning

OVER 900 runners took to the streets of St Neots on Sunday to contest the St Neots Half Marathon, organised by Riverside Runners.

Starting in Ridgeway in St Neots, the 13.1-mile course left the town, snaking through Abbotsley and Waresley before returning to St Neots to finish at Middlefield Primary School.

"It took a lot of organisation and hard work from a lot of people, but it paid off with a great race," said Riverside Runners member Tony Hainsby. "This year's race was as popular as ever - we have been fully booked since July.

"The weather was beautiful, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we had runners joining us from all over the country. It could well be the best race that we have ever had."

Stephen Watterson of London's Serpentine Running Club led the field home to win in a time of 1:10.58.

Riverside Runners contributed a 30-strong team to their home race, 10 of whom recorded PBs in the favourable conditions. Tracey Patmore was the star performer, winning the overall award for first lady at the fourth attempt in a personal best time of 1:25.35, and securing 39th position overall.

Dan Vajzovic was Riverside's first finisher in a time of 1:23.15, which earned him 22nd place.

Patmore and Vajzovic then teamed up with Ian Cameron and Robert Parker to scoop the Frostbite team award.

Huntingdon BRJ Road Running Club sent 45 runners, and came back with six personal bests. Top of the timesheets for BRJ was Phil Rudd, who took 15th place in 1:21.42, while the first lady finisher was Rachel Real, who knocked more than nine minutes off her personal best time.

Picture: IAN NARIN of St Neots Community College.