Emma Styles wins women's half marathon title in Leicester

The Nuneaton-based runner who is not affiliated to a running club outperformed the challengers with a solo run upfront to win the race in a time of 1:20:23.

"I am not a member of a running club as yet. I had a good race and hopefully I will consider joining a local running club", said Styles.

Styles's winning time was well ahead of second placed Olivia Bailey of Hinckley Running Club who recorded a time of 1:22:49.

The promising junior runner who was racing over the distance for the first time was followed by last year's winner Rebecca Randell of Shepshed Running Club who strode home in 1:23:30.

Two members of Nuneaton Athletics Club excelled and managed podium finishes in their respective age group divisions in the men's 10k road race.

Garry Hodgkins - a leading veteran runner won the men's 50 age group title with a time of time of 29:33. The runner who moved from Harborough Athletics Club to Nuneaton finished a remarkable 23rd position against a big field of around 1 400 competitors.

Charlie Yates had a good race in the men's under-18 age group getting the second prize in 28:21. He placed a perfect 17th overall and narrowly lost to Louie Paddison of Wreak & Soar Valley AC who won in 27:24.

The Leicester Festival Run incorporated both the half marathon and 10k race which attracted a combined record entry of 4 900 entrants.