A PLEASANT dry and sunny morning greeted runners of the 18th Next Generation (Cambridge) Grunty Fen Half Marathon which started at Witchford College on Sunday. The event, which incorporates the Cambridgeshire County Championships and Road Race League

A PLEASANT dry and sunny morning greeted runners of the 18th Next Generation (Cambridge) Grunty Fen Half Marathon which started at Witchford College on Sunday.

The event, which incorporates the Cambridgeshire County Championships and Road Race League, attracted hundreds of runners from across the country.

Leading the race home in a fast time of 1:09:28 was Mathew Gunby of Woodford Green AC, 15 seconds ahead of Colchester Harriers' Adrian Musset. These two were over four minutes clear of third placed Andy Jones of City of Norwich AC and first veteran Paul Dobson of Springfield Striders.

The record-breaking performance of the day came from the first lady home, Felicity Milton of Durham University, whose time of 1:16:29 was over three minutes inside the previous women's course record and was good enough for 8th place overall.

Conditions at the start had been dry and sunny with a slight breeze. By the time the later runners neared the finish it had become uncomfortably warm. Eventually all 493 finishers made it across the line to be greeted with a welcome drink of water and a well deserved medal.

Earlier there were 59 runners in the One Mile Fun Run, which comprised two laps of the sports field. The first male to finish was 12 year-old James Downing and the first female 12 year-old Stephanie Burton.

For full Official Results and Photos see www.gruntyfen.co.uk.