Exeter Harriers' Mark Cowan took third place in Sunday's Fulfords Five road race - the first local man home behind Plymouth-based duo Ashley Humphries (25:16) and Vet/40 Stuart Hall (25:20).
And high placings from Cowan's clubmates gave Exeter Harriers the first men's team award. Andrew Chambers was sixth, Simon Minting 11th and Gordon Seward 22nd.
Despite winning the race last year, Cowan was not disappointed with his performance, for despite the cold temperature, the standard at the front of the field was hotter than ever.
Race numbers were at a record high, too, with this year's pre-entry figure matching the total entry in 2005.
At the two-mile point, 20-year-old Humphries was leading the race, just ahead of England international marathon runner Hall. Cowan was lying in fifth place behind Paul Holley, of Axe Valley Runners, Bideford AC's Wayne Stevens, and Joe Pascoe from Exmouth Harriers.
But a mile from home Cowan managed to up the pace and move up to third spot. "It's not an easy course, but conditions were good," said Cowan afterwards.
"The crowds were very supportive all the way round. I've just got back after injury and now I'm going to get down to a couple of months of hard training before the start of the track season."
First lady home was Tiverton Harrier Caroline Hewitt, who finished 28th in 30:27.
Express & Echo - 7th February
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