DURSLEY and District AC’s Garry Hughes won the Berkeley 10k Road Race on Monday.

The event, organised by Dursley and District, was greeted enthusiastically by 300 entrants, with thunder and showers abating in time for the start.

Hughes had already created a gap at the front by the first quarter of a mile and extended his lead to a minute by mile three finishing over two minutes ahead of Robert Hayes in 33:10.

Whilst pleased with his victory Hughes was disappointed with a time that was a minute and half down his 2011 effort.

Behind these two front runners an intriguing battle took place for third spot with Craig Gardner, Stephen Cadwell and Mark Harvey remaining together for most of the race.

As Cadwell and Harvey made their final effort, Stroud runner Gardner exploded past them to take third place in a time of 36;17.

The first lady was not far behind with Lucy Hodgson of Newquay Road Runners finishing in 36:41.

There was great a turnout from Dursley and District with 22 runners participating on the night.

Kevin Jackson was next home for the club after Hughes. Starting briskly, he created a ten second gap on Tony Wooldridge, extending this lead to 32 seconds at the halfway mark.

Wooldridge was able to reduce the deficit by seven seconds over the remainder of the race but was unable to get back on terms with Jackson and had to be content with being the first male vet 60 as a consolation.

Behind this battle Laszlo Berdan and Dave Wood were seeking to get under the magic 40 minute mark but left it too late to achieve this goal.

Despite this Wood achieved a new personal best after a very long wait. Mel Williams led the Dursley ladies home but had to work to achieve this.

With Laura Price leading Williams through the 5k split by three seconds, Williams edged past Price.

With three quarters of a mile to go the gap was 12 seconds but Williams extended this to 33 seconds over this final section.

A chasing pack of Anne-Marie Berdanne-Hamvas, Kim Stevenson, and Alice Lewis were in close company at the 5k mark. Despite dropping back Lewis recorded a PB by around two minutes. The club’s lanterne rouges were Zoe Fowler and Deidre Baird, cruising in just over the hour.

This year’s nominated charity for the race was Help for Heroes.

Results: Gary Hughes 1st 33:10; Kevin Jackson 30th 39:26; Tony Wooldridge 31st 39:26; Laszlo Berdan 38th 40:20; Dave Wood 39th 40:32(PB); Mark Waller 65th 41:59; Gareth Bradbury 75th 42:51; Ian Hobbs 94th in 44:16; Chris Ashworth 98th 44:28; Trevor Lewis 106th 44:57; Richard Clarke 113th 45:30; Mel Williams 123rd 46:36; Laura Price 132nd 47:09; Anne-Marie Berdanne-Hamvas 150th 48:15; Kim Stevenson 154th 48:23; Barry Topham 157th 48:37; Alice Lewis 159th 48:53 (PB); Gerry Fowler 163rd 49:00; Margaret Johnson 207th 53:10; Rachel Carter 257th 59:29; Zoe Fowler 260th 01:00:38; Deidre Baird 01:00:38. (276 finishers).