The tough demands of a hilly course and unseasonably warm weather made the Fleckney & Kibworth half-marathon a demanding challenge on Sunday.

The winner had an exceptional pedigree as Halesowen's William Nock is the reigning Worcestershire cross-country champion.

Over-40s veteran Nock won the event in 1hr 18min 23sec to take the title out of the county.

Second place went to Wreake Runners' Richard Bettsworth, who has been a model of consistency this season and came home in 1.22.56.

Bettsworth was almost four minutes ahead of West End Runners' Dave Pell who finished in 1.26.35.

Charnwood's Beverley Gray took the women's title in 1.30.44.

The host club took the team prize for the second year running with a solid performance.

Noel Houlihan was fifth in 1.26.49, Steve Bishop sixth in 1.27.50, Duncan Campbell 16th in 1.31.59 and Stacey Voss 22nd in 1.34.01.

The Fleckney half-marathon puts major demands on the athletes with an undulating opening section, a stiff ascent of Saddington Hill and a long drag from Saddington Valley to Mowsley.

Some athletes used the event as a vital part of their training programme for the Leicester Marathon on October 11.

There was also an eight-mile race following the Kibworth 6 course, plus an additional two miles tacked on around Kibworth village.

Kibworth's John Mulholland prevailed in 57.09 with Hugh Delargy (Harborough) second in 57.56 with Jon Sutton third in 59.06. First woman home was Kathryn Lovelock in 1.05.04.

The main races were complimented by the traditional two mile family fun run. The prizes were presented by England and Leicester Tigers' Martin Corry. Category winners were:

Boys' 15 and over: Jack Quilter 14.41, girls: Elizabeth Bettsworth (Wreake Runners) 21.13; boys 12-14: George Bettsworth 14.55, girls: Emily Hollis 15.21; boys eight to 11: Dan Cole 15.09, girls: Elise Tear (Fleckney & Kibworth) 17.19; boys seven and under: Will Adams 18.45, girls: Holly Coulson 21.44.