THEY ran cross-country through woods, along trails, up ‘killer hills’ and fast downhill sections from Salisbury to Winchester.

More than 1,000 people took part in the Rotary-organised Clarendon Marathon on Sunday for the 20th year of the event.

While some ran the full 26.2 miles along the ancient Clarendon Way, others took part in a half-marathon, starting in Broughton. There was also a relay race and a mini-marathon, five miles, from Farley Mount.

All the runners received a medal handed out by 11th and 14th Winchester Scout Group as they crossed the finishing line at Kings’ School to cheers from the crowd.

Mayor of Winchester Cllr Frank Pearson, who handed out trophies, said: “It’s a fantastic event - a really challenging route. It was very wet and muddy last year but this year was sunny, so conditions were better.”

Those taking part were a mix of elite runners, club level and fun runners challenging their own personal bests.

Overall winner was supply teacher and running coach Ben Pitman, 31, from Lordshill Running Club in Southampton, who led the field in 2:54:46.

Trainee GP Matt Hammerton, 40, won the half-marathon with a time of 1:23:22 despite breaking his collar bone, ribs and wrist when he went over the handlebars of his bike just five weeks ago. The Romsey Road Runner said: “They were minor breaks and I’m healing well, so I thought it was okay to run.”

Meanwhile, Lucy Hilton, 49, from Midhurst, was the first woman to finish the marathon in 3:23:24 and Erica Fogg, 39, from Calmore, the fastest female in the half-marathon.

George Belfield, Lloyd Dickson, Dan Cunnington and James Moore from Winchester and District Athletic Club won the relay race with a time of 2:46:31. The team which came second overall in the relay was also from WADAC as was the winning women’s team: Sam Parkinson, Susie Perry, Kathy Bailey and Caroline Carr.

A big cheer went up for 11-year-old Ben Salter, from WADAC, as he crossed the finishing line. Ben ran the last leg of a relay in the half-marathon with team mates Stanley Parkinson, James Lewis and Tom Grote.

JJ Heath-Caldwell, chairman of the organising committee, who ran in the half-marathon, said: “Huge congratulations to all those who took part and raised thousands of pounds for their chosen charities. The Clarendon is only made possible by the very large number of people who support it – the sponsors, volunteers and of course the participants without whom the event wouldn’t exist.”