In the 15 mile event – over a very tough, hilly course – there was a great confrontation between Harborough-based Gordon Lee and Wootton Road Runner Mike Aldridge who were still locked in battle at around the 13-mile distance going through Naseby.

Soon afterwards Lee, who confessed to feeling tired from his previous day's run at the National 12 Stage Road Relay Championships, pushed for home and eventually won.

But he had to maintain his form in the closing stages as Aldridge, who was back racing after a long spell out with illness, kept the pressure on.

At the finish Lee had 13 seconds in hand over Aldridge as he crossed the line in 1.22.29. Third place went to former winner Garry Payne (George Eliot Striders) who came home in a time of 1.32.14.

Northampton Road Runner Andy Blaize – fresh from his personal best in the London Marathon – ran well to finish sixth in 1.37.47 while other locals having good runs were Kettering Town Harrier Phil West (seventh in 1.39.19) and the Harborough AC pair of Jason Pitcher (ninth in 1.39.15) and Chris Webb (14th in 1.42.55).

Running for Corby AC were Brian Farrar (74th in 2.06.34) and Norman Smith (81st in 2.07.24).

Maree Jesson (NRR) repeated her victory of last year and in the process ran three minutes faster than her course record.

The Orlingbury-based runner was another who showed that she has
recovered well from London when she came home in a time of 1.44.36.

In her wake, Harborough's Hannah Eveleigh ran well for third in 1.51.37 while Henrietta Streicher (10th in 1.59.53) and Traci Edwards (28th in 2.18.01) also competed for the club.

Lucie Custance led home the Kettering Town Harriers contingent when running 1.54.53 for sixth place. She was followed by Alison Moxley (21st in 2.12.07), Amanda Marlow (23rd in 2.15.20), Jill Tierney (29th in 2.18.27) and Lesley Blakeman (30th in 2.19.53).

Running well for Corby AC was Trudi Pike who clocked 1.58.12 for ninth while in action for Wellingborough & District AC was Jeannette Vango (22nd in 2.15.12).

Damien Carr produced a fine front- running performance to easily win the 10km race over an equally hilly course.

The Kettering Town Harrier came home in 34.59 to knock 13 seconds from the course record which was set last year by R&N's Tom Causebrook who,
on this occasion, had to settle for the runner-up spot in 37.41.

Matt Smith (10th in 41.05) and Sam Blakeman (32nd in 43.58) also ran well for the Harriers while Scott Speller (11th in 41.19) and Kyle Barber (16th in 42.11) did likewise for Harborough AC.

Milton Keynes' Jane Preen smashed the ladies course record with her
excellent time of 38.14.

Behind her, Loddington-based Yvonne Scarrott took the runner-up spot with a gutsy run which saw her record a time of 43.55 while fellow veteran Karen Brooks (Harborough AC) also ran well to take third place in 44.35.