HUNDREDS of runners put their best foot forward as they descended on Basingstoke's War Memorial Park for the borough's half marathon.
The event, organised by Destination Basingstoke, saw people taking part in both the half marathon and 10k gather at the park on Sunday, October 1 for an 11am start.
Runners representing various clubs and charities completed a picturesque route out to the south of the town through Cliddesden and Farleigh Wallop in a challenging hilly course.
Long-time supporter Phillips Law was the headline sponsor again, joined by other sponsors Nomios UK & I, Lilly UK, TD Synnex and Lavazza.
READ MORE: Hundreds to take part in Basingstoke Half Marathon
After conquering the hilly route runners from the 10k race crossed the finish line back at the park in outstanding time.
Stephen Blake, 36, from Fleet claimed first place in a time of 33.18. Blake is a member of the Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club.
"It went really well. I had a bad summer of injuries so to get a win today is really nice and it has given me a lot of confidence moving forward. I am really pleased with my time as well. Winning a race like this is amazing. It is a great feeling," he said.
Alexa King, 44, from Fleet, was the first female to complete the 10k in just under 40 minutes despite not racing the distance for nearly two years.
She said: "It feels amazing, I am really pleased and proud. I have been running since I was a child.
"My parents passed it to me [running] and I am then hoping to pass it onto my kids so it just runs in the family."
SEE ALSO: Live updates from the Basingstoke Half Marathon and 10k
Finishing with an impressive personal best with a time of 34.27 was 44-year-old Ben Nutley from Basingstoke.
He said: "I am really delighted because I worked really hard. It was particularly special for me today because I lost a friend about two weeks ago and the funeral was only on Friday. Through the last bit of the race, I was thinking of her and it really kept me going."
The first half marathon runner, Robert Wood, 35, from Basingstoke, crossed the line with a time of 1.14.18. He came third last year so he was over the moon with his win.
He said: "I am super pleased. It is always a challenge for me but it's a local route so it's always nice to come down every year and give it a go."
He has been running for the past ten years and is a member of the Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletics Club.
He admitted to the Gazette that it was a relief to cross the line first.
The first female to complete the half marathon was Naomi Mitchell, 29, from Reading, with a time of 1.17.28 also meaning she came fourth overall.
She said: "It is a great feeling and I am really pleased. It is one of my closest friends local races and she encouraged me to come along. I am doing it as a part of a marathon training session.
"I felt relieved as I crossed the line because it was far hillier than I anticipated and it required a fast finish. My primary school year five teacher got me into running and I have been running ever since."
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Second was Tom Harding also from the Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletics Club who completed the race in just over an hour and a quarter.
The 31-year-old from Basingstoke said: "I am happy now but it really wasn't easy because it is a really hard course. I don't look forward to doing it but I love after when you see everyone.
"The first thing I felt when I crossed the line was relief because I am always counting down how many miles I have left."
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