VIDEO: 700 runners in Worthing 10k race

The 23-year-old was closed down over the final metres by Dave Carter of Brighton-based Phoenix AC but won by .04 of a second in 32min 50sec.

Kev Mason of Brighton & Hove was left behind the men's leading pair over the closing stretch and came in third with 33-48 on the clock.

And in the women's race, Samantha Alvarez of Hailsham Harriers beat Erica Martin of Phonenix to win by 27sec, in 38min 19sec. Alvarez finished behind the first 34 men.

Alvarez, an Over-35 veteran, a second-time winner of this race, defeated the leading senior women's finisher in Martin. Third-place went to an Arena 80 club pair with the same time. Chris Naylor and Jo Farrow crossed the line in 40min 06sec, Naylor a Vet 50, Farrow a Vet 35.

The race entry was hugely up on last year: 700 represents a 40 per cent increase and, of them, 629 finished. The weather was coolish but dry and 140 runners - one of them Alvarez - turned up at the Worthing Leisure Centre start to run on the evening. Normally, around 80 would be expected.

The route went out along Goring Road, and down Sea Lane to the seafront roads, then along the promenade past Worthing Yacht Club towards the pier.

Littlehampton-based runner O'Brien, the runner-up last year and in his fifth year with the Striders, found the narrow margin of the finish unexpected. He thought he'd probably killed off Carter over the final haul up the George V Avenue slope and through Trent Road to the West Park finish.

He explained: "I know the guy quite well and I thought he started to tire once we turned back westwards from the Lido along the seafront again. He was in the lead by about 40 metres, then 20 metres at that halfway point but the wind was then against us and I was surprised how strong it turned out to be.

"I quickly cut back his lead and just before we turned off the prom into George V, I made my move and overtook him. I didn't think he'd come back at me but I managed to hold on.

"The wind probably ruined the times but it helped me out a bit. My time was about two seconds faster than last year. But the race took a lot out of me."

O'Brien was the silver medallist in the Sussex 5,000m championship at Crawley last month. He goes in the Southern Championship at Crystal Palace on June 15.

An accountancy teacher from Eastbourne, Samantha Alvarez said: "I was obviously very pleased to be the first lady to cross the line but also disappointed not to go under 38 minutes (I did 38min 20secs). I'm typical of many club runners in that I'm never completely satisfied with my run - always believing I could have done better.

"My training's been going quite well recently so I half expected to get a PB - having said that though the wind was quite strong coming back along the seafront and I stupidly allowed myself to drop off the pack I was running with up to that point. It's always good to tuck in behind someone and let them to do the work . . . but it wasn't to be that night.

"Despite not entering the race in advance I had always planned to do it. I tend not to enter races in advance anymore just in case I get ill or injured.

"I feel positive about my running at the moment - in fact every aspect of my life seems to be going really well at present. I've got a fabulous six-year-old daughter called Mia. She thinks girls who run are tomboys - she prefers dance and drama.

"I've a great job as a teacher - with the perk of 6 weeks off in the summer - to do even more training . . . I have supportive parents, who look after Mia while I run.

"And a new boyfriend, who is also a runner, so he understands the addiction. he's a runner and coach with Hastings. I spent my prize Jog Shop vouchers on a gilet and some running short for him.

"The Worthing Harriers 10k is a generous race. I won a 65 voucher for first place, and a 25 one for being the first vet. It's unusual to be awarded both. The first 10 men and the first five women all won vouchers."

The two leading Worthing Harriers of those who got to run were Daniel Bradford, 23rd in 37min 05sec, and Lorraine Treadwell in 210th with 44min 08sec.

Click here for downloadable results

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