A VETERAN runner completed a half marathon in under two hours to earn an England Masters vest for the over 75-year-old category.

Wye Valley Runner Brian Symonds, from Tillington, took on the Wokingham Half Marathon needing to break a time of 2-30 to qualify for an England place later in the year.

In a strong field over 3,000 runners, Brian (aged 79) took off at pace on an undulating closed road course through town and country.

The bright sunny day led to some fast times with Symonds dipping under the tape to break the two-hour mark in an incredible time of one hour and 59 minutes. Symonds finished in 1,847th place leaving almost 1,200 younger runners in his wake.

Brian said " I am delighted to have just dipped under the 2-hour mark and claim my England Masters vest.

"Running is for everyone - I didn't start until well into my 60s and I haven't really looked back since."

l Hereford Couriers recently held a 10-mile race.

Welsh runner Matthew Rees broke the course record to win the men's event in 53 minutes and 42 seconds.

Owen Graham (Hereford Couriers) finished second in 57-22 while Chris Grubb (Ledbury & District Harriers) finished third (58-04).

The women's victory went to Donna Morris (Builth & District Running Club) in 1-02-10.

She finished ahead of Kelly Bowen (Croft Ambrey) in second (1-09-49) while Joanna Eddy (Hereford Couriers) finished third (1-11-43).