BARTESTREE’S Luke Mason roared his way to victory in the resurrected Bromyard Gala Round the Downs Race.

Mason, running in the men’s open, stormed through the 42-strong field to take first place in the race which was relaunced after 15 years.

Mason ran home in a time of 23mins 45secs, three minutes ahead of Nick Hitchings, who won the male veterans’ section.

He would have impressed the 1939 winner, Val Freeguard, who had set off the runners.

There were four classes who competed in the 4.25-mile event in scorching conditions.

Leah Mason triumphed in the female open race, and Joanne Whaites won the female veterans’ title Mayor Jamie Jacobsen and town crier Peder Pederson were among the cheering crowd.

Councillor and businessman Nigel Davis was the brains behind the race’s revival and he hopes it will now become a regular event.

Results: Men’s Open: 1 Luke Mason, 2 Stephen Combe, 3 Ashley Davis.

Female Open: 1 Leah Mason, 2 Rosie Evans, 3 Jackie Muirhead.

Male veterans: 1 Nick Hitchings, 2 Kevin Barnes, 3 Ian Price.

Female veterans: 1 Joanne Whaites, 2 Sheryl Evans, 3 Rachel Freeman.