DAVID Williams was the first county-based athlete to cross the finishing line in the 310-strong annual St Michael's Hospice Hereford Half Marathon.

Williams finished the race in sixth place overall and was just one position behind Geoff Brown, a veteran over-50 runner from Presteigne Pacers.

Hereford-born Shaun Russell, who runs various distance races, was the second local athlete home in 15th place, while Fownhope's Nick Williams was the third county runner to complete the distance in the 21st position.

Herefordshire's Nicola Goodwin, the BBC Hereford & Worcester sports presenter, was the first county woman to finish, crossing the line in 47th place.

Hereford Couriers' Jennifer Hopkins was the second local woman to finish, in 69th place, and she joined forces with Jayne Littlewood and Julie Suff to win the team prize in the women's event. The Hereford Couriers' men's team also tasted success, with Russell, Peter Carwardine and Steve Herinton taking the men's team award.

The oldest runner to complete the distance was 74-year-old Welshman Allen Watts, who came home 262nd.

RESULTS

Men: 1 Mark Roberts (Swansea Harriers) 1-10-19; 2 Danny Norton (Rhonda Valley Runners) 1-15-28; 3 Lee Christmas (Stroud and District) 1-18-0.

Women: 1 Lucy Townsend (Bourton Road Runners) 1-28-51; 2 Nicola Goodwin (Unattached) 1 32-35; 3 Anna Philips (Cardiff Medics) 1-35-02.

Men's Veteran, 40-45: Gary Mcarthy (Islwyn RC) 1-18-07; 45-50: Alan Taylor (Unattached) 1-28-06; 50-55: Geoff Brown (Presteigne Pacers) 1-19-07; 55-60: John Griffin (Birstall) 1-25-21; 60 Plus: Jeff Jarvis (Club 69) 1-37-57.

Women's veteran, 35-40: Stephanie Hyde (Wye Valley Runners) 1-33-07; 40-45: Janice Lightly (Forest of Dean) 1-37-06; 45-50: Jayne Littlewood (Hereford Couriers) 1-38-47; 50-55: Leslie Griffin (Birstall) 1-35-08; 55 Plus: Glenda Jackson (Simones Colford) 1-45-48.

Men's Team: Hereford Couriers (Shaune Russell, Peter Carwardine, Steve Herington).

Women's Team: Hereford Couriers (Jennifer Hopkins, Jane Littlewood, Julie Suff).