MICHAEL Sandiford turned in an impressive performance to power to victory in the 35th Wellington Monument Race, organised by Taunton Athletics Club on Sunday.

Sandiford romped home in a time of 35 minutes and 8 seconds to comfortably see off the challenge of his closest rival, James Ross, a visiting athlete from the Sheffield area by nearly a minute and half.

The race, which was returning to the road race calendar after a year’s break in 2023, was run over a 10k course, starting from the centre of Hemyock village, climbing through the Blackdown Hills before rounding the Wellington Monument to begin the return leg back to the finish at Hemyock School.

For Sandiford, 31, who works in Taunton and competes for the Fordy Runs Running Club, victory came in his third shot at the race, having competed twice previously.

While Ross was taking second spot in the men’s race, his wife, Jess, 29, went one better by racing to victory in the women’s race in a time of 43.08 to see off her closest challenger, experienced international athlete, Lucy MacAlister (Bristol & West AC) by 21 seconds.

Around 160 runners took part in the race with ages ranging from teens to mid-80s.

The race sponsors were: Sheppy’s Cider Farm, Mount Vets, The Crescent Clinic, Timpson’s, Clarke Willmott and Blackdown Financial.

Top overall placings: Male – 1. Michael Sandiford (Fordy Runs RC), 35.08; 2. James Ross (unattached), 36.28; 3. Richard Hardy (Axe Valley Runners) 36.49.

Female -1. Jess Ross (unattached), 43.08; 2. Lucy MacAlister (Bristol & West AC) 43.29; 3. Caroline Arckless (unattached), 44.23.

Age category winners male – Senior – Michael Sandiford (Fordy Runs RC), 35.08; U20 Ernie Shorten (unattached), 41.51; 40+ Richard Hardy (Axe Valley Runners), 36.49; 45+ Marcus Albano (Taunton AC), 40.33; 50+ Simon White (Tiverton Harriers), 42.20; 55+ William Langdon (Exmouth Harriers), 43.20; 60+ Mike Egan (Chard Road Runners), 44.27; 65+ Howard Bidmead (Honiton RC), 48.20; 70+ Ron Seward (Axe Valley Runners), 51.28.

Female – Senior – Jess Ross (unattached), 43.08; 40+ Gemma Dobson (unattached), 1:00.02; 45+ Lucy MacAlister (Bristol & West AC), 43.29; 50+ Ali Kerridger (unattached), 45.58; 55+ Valerie Worthington (unattached), 59.47; 60+ Mary Daymond (South West Road Runners), 1:01.17; 65+ Eleanor Wood (Axe Valley Runners), 50.28.

Leading local area runners – 1. Lucy MacAlister (Bristol & West AC), 43.29; 2. Morris Burrough (unattached), 47.12; 3. David Lynch (unattached), 47.54.

Team prize – 1. Axe Valley Runners (Richard Hardy, Matt Frost, Lee Moran, Eleanor Wood); 2. Tiverton Harriers (Simon White, Alan Ledger, Rose Partridge, Dan Swires); 3. Running Forever RC (Dan Devlin, Nicole Orme, Simon Malley, Chris Adams).