The Hursley 10k witnessed an intense day of competition as two champions locked horns in a duel for bragging rights.

Ant Gritton, the 2012 and 2011 winner, was looking to win back his lost crown that Matt King took last year.

It resulted in one of the closest races for many years at the multi-terrain event.

The men’s competition culminated in an eye-catching finish that saw King nip over the line just 12 seconds before Gritton (Lordshill Road Runners).

King crossed the line in 33:21 – shaving 90 seconds off his 2013 time – while Gritton set a 33:33, which bettered his 2011 effort by more than three minutes. Stephen Gehne (Seethen Galaxy) took the bronze medal position with a 36.25.

Carmen Sanchez cruised to victory in the female event. A 38.24 time saw the Winchester & District AC runner cross the line more than four minutes before Becki Cassia (42.43) in second.

Sanchez’s incredible run – which saw her come seventh overall – is among the best female times for more than five years. Stubbington Green’s Lucy May took third with a 44.05.

Elsewhere, in the veteran competitions, City of Salisbury’s Melvyn Holloway won the men’s over-55 event in a time of 46.59.

Alan Graham (40:25) claimed victory in the 50-54 men’s age group, while Jeremy Watts (Lordshill Road Runners) crossed the line first in the male 40-49 age group with a time of 39.10.

Penny Forse of Stubbington Green (47.48) claimed the female 55 and older crown, Hardley Runner’s Sue Sleath bagged a 42.51 time and won the women’s 50-54 age group.

And Georgie Benson from Winchester & District AC crossed the line in 40.38 to take first place in the ladies’ 40-49 category.