THERE was a familiar face at the front of the senior race in the Butser Challenge – but his victory was a close run thing.

Chichester runner James Baker won the five-mile run up and down the slopes of Butser Hill for the second consecutive year in a time of 32min 05secs – a 24-second improvement on his time in 2016.

But second-placed Stuart Hollaway, of City of Salisbury, was only four seconds behind him.

Denmead athlete Julian Manning, running for The White Hart pub team, finished third in a time of 33min 45secs.

The first woman home in the senior race was Polly Keen in a time of 36min 56secs, and she finished eighth overall.

The second woman home was young runner Nancy Scott, with third female finisher honour going to Sarah Rollins.

In the team contests, Blackwater Valley Runners were the winning men’s team, with Liss Runners taking the ladies’ title.

The team from the White Hart pub in Denmead took the pub team title, with Littlejohn Bathrooms taking the Corporate team honours. The school team winners were Ditcham Park School.