THE UPTON Summer Series continued last Wednesday with a healthy turnout of 172 club athletes and 88 juniors for the fourth race of six total.

Thomas Corbin of Poole AC stormed through the adults’ race of 5.5km, setting the fastest time of the series so far in 18:48; undoubtedly a welcome return-to-form following a sixth-place finish in Race three.

He was followed home by the ever-consistent Lewis Clarke (Poole Runners, 19:02), who finished within four seconds of both his previous race times, and Hugo Richardson (Bournemouth AC, 19:17) whose third-place finish marked him the fastest youngster in the long race yet again at just 16 years of age.

The three leading athletes all crossed the line over a minute ahead of the next finisher, as Joe Godden (Poole Runners, 20:23) finished fourth to take an age-group victory in the Men’s Vet 40-44 Category.

Emily Hilliar made it a double win for Poole AC this week, as the first woman across the line in a time of 21:23.

Her third win in four races, Hilliar is currently the frontrunner to take the women’s title this series, needing just one more race finish to complete her scorecard. Jenny-Lee Marshall (Purbeck Runners, 22:15) followed her; the third time she has followed Hilliar home to second place in a race this Series. Lauren Baker-Little (Poole Runners, 23:32) completed the podium, finishing third.

In the team standings the Poole Runners men’s and women’s teams both finished on top for Race four, with Poole AC teams coming in second place in both categories.

Oliver Harrison of Poole AC continued his reign in the Juniors race with a new best time of 05:12. He was followed home by Riley Austin (Poole AC, 05:20) and Noah Banwell (Poole Runners, 05:23). Grace Harrison (Poole Runners, 06:03) took her first victory in her own new best time in race four, beating Amelia Drew (Poole AC, 06:09) and Amy Betts (Bournemouth AC, 06:26) who finished in second and third place respectively.