MORE than 100 runners turned out to pound the tarmac in Soham on Sunday at the East Cambs Half-Marathon. Competitors from across the district, including runners from as far afield as Ipswich and Haverhill, took part in the 13-mile event which featured a h

MORE than 100 runners turned out to pound the tarmac in Soham on Sunday at the East Cambs Half-Marathon.

Competitors from across the district, including runners from as far afield as Ipswich and Haverhill, took part in the 13-mile event which featured a host of quality performers from local club Ely Runners, who had representation from some 17 runners on the day.

And it was an Ely Runner - Craig Holgate - who took overall victory in the hotly contested race coming home in just 1:15:41, less than 30 seconds ahead of second-placed Mazeyar Firouzi who was representing Cambrideg Triathalon Club. Ely Runners Stephen Pettit took third place in 1:17:08.

The first female home was Daisy Glover, also of Ely Runners, who clocked up an impressive 1:25:30 to beat her nearest rival by a comfortable four-minute margin. The 18-year-old finished in 16th place overall.

The race itself was started by chairman of East Cambridgeshire District Council Peter Cresswell, at St Andrew's Primary School with the competitors completing a course that ventured out and around the town.

The annual event regularly draws more than 100 competitors and is organised by staff at the Ross Peers Sports Centre itself.