SOUTH African Neo Molema collected the men's £500 first prize in Sunday's Griffiths Marshall Stroud Half- Marathon, but it was Stroud Athletic Club member Iain Whitfield who scooped the local plaudits as Stroud bagged the team title.

Earlier, Molema raced home in one hour, five minutes, 58 seconds followed by Kassa Tadesse, seven seconds behind.

Kenyan Joseph Kibor ran a consistent pace to finish third in 1.08.17, three minutes ahead of Bournemouth AC's Mark Hargreaves, running as a veteran 45, to win £150 in fourth place.

Meanwhile, Whitfield, 18, who finished 16th last year, showed fighting resolve as the Marling student finished in one hour, 12 minutes, 58 seconds to claim eighth place.

His team-mate Julian Hough ran a creditable 1.15.29 for 13th position, followed closely by Ander Russell, 17, in his first half-marathon in 1.15.35.

The ever-reliable Lee Christmas completed the winning quartet as he finished second in 16th place, to give Stroud the team prize ahead of a much more experienced Cheltenham team.

Stroud also claimed the veteran 40 team prize, thanks to Lee Christmas, Alan Pitt and Dave Stanton.

Unattached Stroud triathlete Lee Rankin took the prize for first non-club runner with 12th place in 1.14.44, with LV45 Lesley Whiley taking the unattached ladies' award in 1.22.34.

Stroud's men's teams completed a good club performance by taking the third team award, courtesy of James Totterdell (1.19.43), Alan Pitt (1.19.55), Dave Stanton (1.20.07) and Dave Schubert (1.25.47).

Surprise result of the day goes to Stroud's B team who finished third team overall. Newcomer James Totterdell was expecting to run around 1.29, coming home in 1.19.43 in his first serious road race, V40 Alan Pitt ran a personal best in 1.19.55.

First county runner in was Cheltenham's Kevin Spillman, who ran an excellent race to claim sixth in 1.12.05, taking the V40 prize.

The ladies' race was won by Holly May of Bath AC in 1.18.11, just over a minute ahead of the highly experienced Melanie Ellis of Shaftesbury Barnet, who took the LV40 prize in 1.19.13.

Third lady was another LV40, Liz Hartney of Reading Road Runners, finishing in 1.21.48, just under a minute ahead of Lindsay Kehoe of Highgate Harriers.

First county lady was Sian Lewis of Severn AC, crossing the line in 1.23.20, leading the way for Severn to take the ladies' team prize, supported by Helena Trigg (1.26.20) and Sian's sister, Stroud's Gwen Kinsey (1.26.26).

Meanwhile, Bitton Road Runners claimed second team, with Stroud fielding an LV35 team to take third position; LV45 Kathryn Morton was first

Stroud lady home in 1.36.06, backed up by LV40 Louise Little in 1.36.54 and Lorraine Huggett in 1.40.48.

Stroud's V70 duo had a race-long tussle, with Alan Dodd passing Tony Christmas around the ten mile marker to finish in 1.57 with Tony three minutes behind.

ANY runners wishing to keep up their fitness are welcome to come along to Stroud AC training nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm at Archway Sport Centre.

Groups suitable for all levels run each night, with Steve Carr's beginners group heading out for about three miles on Thursdays.

Indoor sport hall sessions start on Tuesdays, with a mix of circuit training suitable for all ages. For more details phone Steve Carr on 01453 825139 or Phil Manning on 834040.