KIDDERMINSTER runner Stuart Hawkes is celebrating a second place finish in the Brighton Half Marathon.

The former Amazing Feet RC and Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club member, who now runs for Tipton Harriers, continued his progress at the south coast event on February 26.

He landed a massive personal best with a time of 68.43 to claim the runner-up spot.

Hawkes, who has been third and fourth in the Liverpool and Chester Marathons as well as being selected to represent England at the Age Group Marathon this year, said: "After a good spell of training where I have been doing up to 120 mile a week, I knew I was in good form. The purpose for travelling to Brighton was to break my PB of 70.32 and as a recce for the marathon I will be doing there in April.

"With 16-18mph winds, it made the race very tactical until we got to the 10 mile point, at which we had the wind on our backs for the final three miles.

"The pace had dropped slightly and I was in danger of missing out on my target time, so I decided to hit the front and go out hard. I managed to open up a 25 metre gap but with just over one-and-a-half mile to go the surge in pace was taking it’s toll and I was passed at the 12 mile point. I recovered slightly and managed to come back at the eventual winner but it was too little to late. I was delighted to finish with a big personal best."

After the Brighton Marathon in April, the training will continue for Hawkes in preparation for the England Age Group Marathon at Chester in October.