STUART Hawkes and Shona Crombie-Hicks were the winners of the Worcester Pitchcroft 10-kilometre race.

Hawkes, a member of Kidderminster’s Amazing Feet Running Club and the 2014 winner, clocked 32 minutes 31 seconds to successfully defend his men’s title.

Bourton Roadrunners’ Crombie-Hicks ran 39.05 to take the women’s honours at Worcester Racecourse.

After an early morning shower passed through, the event enjoyed blustery but sunny conditions.

The fun run started the day as a small but fast field of runners was led home by George Beardmore, of Worcester Athletic Club, in 9.47.

Ruby Taylor, also of Worcester AC, was the first girl a minute behind in 10.47.

Then followed the 10k race after regular entrant, 84-year-old Charles Morley, finished the fun run.

Just over 200 runners were sent on their way for the three laps of the racecourse.

The race attracted experienced and novice runners alike but the club members set the early pace with Adam Peacock, of Bromsgrove and Redditch AC, leading.

He relinquished his lead during the second lap to 2014 winner Hawkes and the 37-year-old then pressed on to win with the fourth fastest time ever on the course.

Peacock held on to second place and was followed home by Worcester’s Tom Stock and unattached runner James Richards.

The female race was led from start to finish by Crombie- Hicks, who crossed the line in 32nd place overall.

Marie Voice, of Kenilworth Runners, was second and Tipton Harriers’ Lynne Hill third as they maintained their positions throughout the race with strong evenpaced running.

All finishers received a minted medal and a Western Power Distribution sports bottle.

The 20th running of the event was again organised by Worcester AC and the awards presentation was made by chairman Derek Cowdrey.

Prize winners and masters category winners were awarded engraved salvers and bottles.

For Malvern Joggers, Julie Caseley (49.21) was first woman over 55 and Lucy Gallagher (53.22) second woman over 45.

Stuart Day (42.40), Julia Heron (53.41), Steve Ollis (54.41) and Kevin Minton (1.06.17) also ran from the club. Linus Burnage was eighth in the fun run in 11.53.

HONOURS Men: 1 Hawkes (Amazing Feet RC) 32.31, 2 Peacock (Bromsgrove & Redditch AC) 34.19, 3 Stock (Worcester AC) 34.31, 4 Richards 34.37.

Over 40s: 1 Dean Hill (Tipton Harriers) 36.10, 2 Dan Simmer 37.11.

Over 50s: 1 Richard Hughes (Hereford Couriers) 37.20, 2 Ian Keyte (Bromsgrove & Redditch AC) 38.13.

Over 60s: 1 Tony Lewington (Teme Valley TC) 41.11.

Team: 1 Hereford Couriers (Charlie Jones 37.17, Hughes 37.20, Russell James 37.46).

Women: 1 Crombie-Hicks (Bourton RR) 39.05, 2 Voice (Kenilworth Runners) 39.50, 3 Hill (Tipton Harriers) 39.58, 4 Caroline Whitehouse (Spa Striders) 42.19.

Over 35s: 1 Louise Andrews (Kenilworth Runners) 43.00, 2 Emily Seward (Black Pear Joggers) 43.31.

Over 45s: 1 Jude Glynn (Bournville Harriers) 49.54, 2 Gallagher (Malvern Joggers) 53.22.

Over 55s: 1 Caseley (Malvern Joggers) 49.21.

Team: 1 Kenilworth Runners (Voice 39.50, Andrews 43.00, Rachel Miller 43.47).