A MARATHON from Salisbury to Winchester has returned, with more than a thousand runners taking part.

This year's edition of the Clarendon Marathon on Sunday, October 6, took runners over mixed terrain through the beautiful countryside between the two cathedral cities.

One retired Hampshire teacher proved age is just a number by running to celebrate her 79th birthday.

Anne Roe, a member of Worthy Runners, completed the final 6.5-mile leg of the 26.2-mile cross-country relay race from Salisbury to Winchester.

READ MORE: Winchester Half Marathon: 39 best pics from this year’s race

The Mayor of Winchester was at the finish line (Image: Joe Bright) A regular at Winchester Park Run, Anne also runs with her club weekly and shows no signs of slowing down. She has already set her sights on participating in the Clarendon relay marathon again next year for her milestone 80th birthday.

Anne, from Kings Worthy, said: “It’s important to keep moving and not to stop as you get older. It doesn’t matter if you run, dance or swim – just keep moving. I know I’m fortunate to still be running as I have two sisters with osteoporosis.”

More than 1,000 runners braved grey skies and light drizzle for the event which started at Laverstock and Ford Sports Club and ended at Kings’ School where friends and family cheered runners over the finishing line.

Tom Gray, from Wonston and wearing a St Peter’s Pacers shirt, won the full marathon in three hours, three minutes and 21 seconds, while Neil Jennings took the half marathon in 1:30:53 and Jasper Burrows the five-mile race in 45:46.

Caroline Ralph was the fastest female in the marathon and Katya Khazaneh in the half-marathon. Bitcoin Runners picked up the trophy for the relay marathon,

Marathon winner Tom, who was placed third in the previous two years, said: “It was tough. Next year, I aim to complete it in under three hours.”

Meanwhile Father Mark Hogan, parish priest of St Peter’s Catholic Church, ran the last leg of a mixed relay team from St Peter’s Pacers. Commenting on the course, Joe Green, from Winchester and District Athletics Club (WDAC), said: “It was really challenging, very hilly. The weather wasn’t too bad, but it was quite slippery underfoot with lots of tree roots and gullies.”

Organised by the Rotary Club of Winchester, the marathon saw many returning participants, including David Wright, 59, who ran in the first event in 1998 and won in 1999.

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Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith, congratulated runners as they crossed the finishing line. He praised the marathon for raising large sums for local charities. “I am really impressed by Rotary Club who put the event together, so it runs like clockwork.”

Paul Russell, President of Winchester Rotary, thanked the organising committee led by JJ Heath-Caldwell and 200 volunteers who helped the event run smoothly despite the challenges of a mostly off-road course, including marshalling in woods.

The Clarendon Marathon has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities over the years. Additionally, some runners raise money for causes close to their hearts by collecting sponsorship money.