KIERAN HALE triumphed in Dursley RC’s annual Berkeley 10k Road Race As the 345 competitors gathered at the start line, grey clouds scudded across the sky with a gust that continued throughout the evening.

The race began with Hale surging into an early lead with Antony Bailey of Cheltenham Harriers, and Steve Millward of Gloucester AC seeking to stay on terms with him. At three miles Hale had around eight seconds on Bailey with Millward a couple of seconds behind the Cheltenham Harrier.

Jo Emery from Coventry Godiva was the first woman at the three mile mark, some distance in front of Gwen Kinsey from Stroud. As the leaders turned for home Bailey was glued to the heels of Hale with Millward struggling to get on terms with them.

Hale was stronger in the closing stages and crossed the line in 33.31, just two seconds ahead of Bailey with Millward 29 seconds in arrears.

The battle for victory in the women’s category was less exciting with Emery maintaining her steady pace and lead throughout the race, beating Kinsey by 23 seconds.

Kinsey took the FV35 Category in the process. Dursley, despite the demands of organising the event, had 19 entrants on the starting line. Dave Wood, one the club’s off road specialists, made a rare appearance on the tarmac and was the first Dursley runner home.

He was closely tracked by Richard Pitts, who was pleased with a personal best on the night. Paul Wellings ran well to finish third Dursley male.

A few of the Dursley women’s contingent had raced on Sunday at the Aviator, which undoubtedly affected their legs.

The first lap saw Rebecca Topham and Kate Brown side by side running steadily but Brown kicked on, opening up a gap to finish first for Dursley women in 42:39.

Brown was declared first FV40, with Topham placed second in the category. Behind the front runners there were a number of good performances with Dave Saunders cruising around to finish third MV60 in 44:08.

Rich Clarke continued his year on year on improvement, knocking around 50 seconds off last year’s time.

Jerry Fowler posted a personal best, but could not hold on to Zoe Johnson, who broke free on the second lap to finish in 47:26. Rachel Carter was someway off the dizzy heights of her 2009 performance, finishing in the same time as Zoe Fowler.

Andy Kilby did a sterling job as sweeper, accompanying the Lanterne Rouge, Carrie Humphreys of Stroud, who finished in a time of 01:07:52 Bourton Road Runners took the men’s team prize ahead of Cheltenham Harriers and Gloucester AC with the women’s team event won by Stroud with Almost Athletes second in front of Bourton.

The event was graced by some outstanding performances by older runners. Martin Ford from Cheltenham Harriers won the V65 category in time of 38:34, Ken Buckle of the same club finished first in the MV70 category in 47:09, with Zina Merchant from Team Bath recording 44:21 to win the FV60 category.

Dursley RC results: Dave Wood 40:38, 57th (11th MV45); Richard Pitts 41:18, 72nd; Paul Wellings 41:53 79th; Kate Brown 42:39 94th; Rebecca Topham 43:04, 100th; David Saunders 44:08, 122nd (3rd MV60); Jonathon Tudor 44:13 127th; Richard Clarke 41:41, 138th; Dave Halford 45:51, 160th; Joe Browning 46:43, 172nd; Zoe Johnson 47:26, 189th, Jerry Fowler 47:56, 198th; Alice Lewis 48:15, 205th; John Delafield 49:15, 221st; Avril Yearsley 50:03, 232nd; Erica Fowler (time/Pos tbc); Steve Peers 53:31, 275th; Margaret Johnson 54:23, 285th; Zoe Fowler 56:29, 310th; Rachel Carter 56:29, 311th