THERE was a record number of entries for this year's Worcestershire Beacon race but last year's winner Bill Nock (Halesowen) was still first past the post.

Entries totalled 302 and on the day 286 runners took part in this arduous seven-mile race which starts and finishes at Rose Bank Gardens in Belle Vue but takes in the climb over the Worcestershire Beacon.

Organiser John Brook, of race sponsors Brookhire, said the race had been a success given the record entry of runners.

RESULTS.

Male: 1 Bill Nock V40 (Halesowen) 44.23, 2 Steve Gould V40 (Halesowen) 44.57, 3 Ian Twaddle (Northshield) 45.25. Female: 1 Sally Newman V35 49.37, 2 Tracy Dodds (U/A) 52.44, 3 Julie Sheppard V35 (Tipton Harriers) 54.41. Male O/40: 1 Stephen Goulding (Pewsey Vale) 47.01. Male O/50: 1 David Peach (Horwich RC) 48.38. Male O/60: 1 Rhys Lodwick (Aldridge RC) 48.07. Male O/70: 1 Michael Morris (Kenilworth RC) 72.56. Local Man: 1 Jon Newey (U/A) 46.36. Local Lady: 1 Helen Wootton (Worcester AC) 62.56. Lady O/35: 1 Susan Howarty (U/A) 57.20. Lady O/45: 1 Lynn Sherren (Stratford AC) 58.53. Winning team: Halesowen AC ( Bill Nock, Steven Gould and Stewart Geggie).

Total entries: 302 (Record number of entries). Total runners: 286. Winners time not a record.

Twelve members of the local Malvern Joggers Club took part and three finished inside the hour, Nick Hitchens 54.06, Dave Edwards 56.47 and Stuart Brown in 58.57.

The next best finishers were, Nigel Sewell 1.00.35, Bob Cartwright 1.02.10 and Chris Barker in 1.02.22.