JEFF TAYLOR enjoyed a winning run in the Eyam half marathon.

Taylor, chairman of Meltham Athletic club, was the first veteran runner home in the Over 70 section of the race in Derbyshire.

He completed the 13.3 miles in one hour 56 minutes 52 seconds, this despite the four miles of ascents in the race and equally demanding descents.

The Meltham club had 12 runners competing in the race, which starts in the village of Eyam with a 200ft climb in the first two miles up to Eyam Edge and over towards Great Hucklow.

The race then steadily descends 800ft towards Hathersage before turning uphill again to ascend 800ft in just two miles, but it is the final 400ft descent into Eyam that challenged even the most hardy runners.

Overall winners were Andrew Thake, of Hallamshire Harriers, in a time of one hour 15 minutes 19 seconds for the men and in the ladies event Bridget Coomber, of Denby Dale Travellers, won with a time of one hour 32 minutes 48 seconds.

Meltham results: Andy Whitworth 1.26.25, Graham Sykes 1.33.45, Dave Taylor 1.34.21, Nigel Thomas 1.44.58, Jeff Taylor 1.56.52, Martin Sturdy 2.02.26, Malcolm Cliff 2.10.02. Ladies: Mel Sykes 1.51.39, Gilly Markham 1.53.02, Ruth Thomas 1.57.13, Sharon Whitworth 2.09.15, Alison Hargreaves 2.17.51