By Ross Brewster

Last updated 12:53, Tuesday, 04 November 2008

Despite setting a cracking pace from the off, Sunday’s Derwentwater ten mile road race winner Andi Jones still fell short of one of the longest standing records in local athletics.

Jones, recording his second win in the race, piled on the pressure from the start, chased by Stephen Hepples of Loftus A.C., a three time winner himself and 2007 runner up.

The Salford Harrier went through the first mile in 4 mins 38 secs, but race organiser Alan Ritchie admitted: “He paid the price later. His time of 50 min 19secs was one of the fastest ever recorded, but still a minute outside Keswick runner Kenny Stuart’s best set in 1986.”

Rebecca Robinson of Kendal A.C. produced another fine performance to notch up her fourth successive Derwentwater victory. She was 16th overall out of a field over more than 450. Rebecca was only three quarters of a minute outside the female record held by Edinburgh’s Lorna Irving.

The Derwentwater Ten, which is organised by Keswick Athletic Club and sponsored by Mizuno athletic shoe Co in association with Pete Bland Sports, was first held in 1960 and is regarded as one of the classics of the road racing calendar.

Next year it will celebrate its 50th anniversary and Sunday’s turnout included club runners from all over Britain including a contingent of more than 30 from Beckenham Running Club in London who were staying in the area.

Star billing went to 70 year old former European and Commonwealth Marathon champion Ron Hill who was back in Keswick to run the race 45 years after his win in 1963.

Ron presented the awards and Alan Ritchie said: “Many of the athletes were honoured to meet him.”

Results: 1, Andi Jones, Salford, 50min 19secs; 2, Stephen Hepples, Loftus, 51-48; 3, Ian Fisher, Otley, 52-52; 4, James Buis, Heaton, 53-56; 5, James Bulman, North Yorks Moors, 54-19; 6, Shaun O’Grady, New Marske, 54-31; 7, James Douglas, Border, 54-36; 8, Paul Cuddihy, Hillingdon, 55-34; 9, Mike Scott, Border, (veteran 40), 56-17; 10, Russell Maddams, Horwich, 56-38; 11, Colin Rigby, Horwich, 56-532; 12, Paul Waterston, Morpeth, 56-54; 13, Martin Bateman, Hillingdon, 57-18; 14, George Thompson, Border(veteran 50), 57-25; 15, Paul Lowe, North Yorks Moors, 57-38; 16, Rebecca Robinson, Kendal, 57-47; 17, Brendan Bolland, Horwich, 58-27; 18, Steven Garner, 58-45; 19 Michael Pluckrose, Border, 58-47; 20, John Donneky, Derwentside, 58-50.

Female: 1, Rebecca Robinson, Kendal, 57-47; 2, Vic Wilkinson, Bingley, 59-33; 3, Philippa Wakefield, Border, 63-48; 4, Michelle Hetherington, Helensburgh(veteran 40), 66-03; 5, Erika Johnson, Swaledale, 66-27.

Men’s Team: 1, Border(James Douglas, Mike Scott, George Thompson). Veteran Team: 1, Border(Mike Scott, George Thompson, Kevin McCaig). Female Team: 1, Keswick(Philippa Jackson, Joanne Moore, Hayley Hodgson).