KIDDERMINSTER'S Stuart Hawkes is celebrating after bagging victory in the Worcester City Half Marathon.

The talented distance runner beat all other competitors to secure a memorable success in a time of 70.24.

He said: "The weekend before, I had ran the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon and set a new personal best of 68.39, which meant I was going into the Worcester City Half without worrying about the time and was just able to enjoy the occasion.

"It was perfect running conditions, the first few mile weaved through the city centre and it was great to see the crowds out in force.

"With most of the hills out of the way, I decided to make a break for victory at 10 miles, the gap was slowly increasing but so were my effort levels. At 12 mile, I was heading back down Hylton Road, my legs were feeling heavy but the cheers from crowd and fellow runners going the opposite way spurred me on.

"It was great to have my family there to see me cross the line after they missed my surprise victory at the Brighton Marathon earlier in the year."

Hawkes, who runs for Tipton Harriers, now has three weeks to recover before taking on the Chester Marathon to represent England as an age group athlete.