HEREFORD-based runner Eliot Taylor followed in something of a family tradition when he took the win at the 20th annual Crocodile 8.8 miles multi-terrain race in Burghill.

Eliot's dad Tim, still a competitive runner as his 18th place in this year's event confirmed, has won the race on several previous occasions.

Torrential rain throughout the day made for horrific conditions on the off-road sections of the route, but this did not worry Eliot Taylor who was looking to build on his recent third place at the Hereford Half Marathon.

The 26 year-old, who races for Cheltenham Harriers, was content to sit in a four-man lead group through the opening road and field section of the course before they entered the woods for the infamous 97 steps.

At the highest point of course and with around 4.5 miles left to go, the Dave Newport-coached athlete made his move and quickly opened up a substantial gap throughout the descent before finishing back on the roads where he crossed the line 1:40 ahead of second placed Barry Reynolds of Hereford who also finished second in the recent half marathon.

Taylor’s winning time was 10 seconds quicker than his training partner and fellow Cheltenham Harrier Jon Barnes’ winning time of 2017 when conditions were much more favourable.

Proud to see his son win a race that he had won in the past, Tim Taylor was a comfortable winner of the vet 55 category.