Windsor's Mark Draper was a comprehensive winner of the race, but the important action as far as Northants runners was concerned was going on in his slipstream.

The third running of what is Northampton Road Runner's flagship event represented both the County and the East Midlands Championships, and attracted a quality field.

With Draper way out in front, four runners contested the runners-up spot with just 13 seconds between them at the finish.

And it was Rugby & Northampton's Nigel Marley who timed his efforts to perfection, taking control over the final two kilometres to hold off the third-placed runner, Wootton's Steve Poole, by just four seconds in a time of 34mins 25secs.

Marley's run secured him the 10k champion title for both the County and East Midlands region.

Despite just missing out on those titles, Poole's run highlighted just what a tough competitor he his.

Running in second place at the Ford on Spectacle Lane, Poole slipped and took a heavy fall in the water.

The sign of a true champion is how they deal with adversity and the Wootton man was quickly to his feet and battling on through injury to claim a podium finish.

Winner Draper won by more than two minutes and lowered the amended course record by eight seconds in a time of 32mins 29secs.

Rugby & Northampton dominated the East Midlands team prize, with Marley joined by team-mates, fifth-placed Stuart Nelson (34:38), 12th-placed Matthew Howes (37:01) and 15th-placed Vince Carroll (37:26).

The ladies race was equally exciting with an exceptional field.

For seven kilometres it would have been difficult to choose the winner from a quartet comprising Harborough AC's Sarah Haines, Huncote's Nicki Nealon, Wootton's Kirsty Wigham and Milton Keynes' Jane Preen.

As the front-running Preen got into difficulty at Spectacle Lane, it was Haines that surged to the front, a lead she kept all the way to the finish in a new course record time of 37mins 40secs.

She was chased home by Nealon, just seconds behind with the Town-based Wingham, a good third in 38mins 07 secs.

All was not right with recent Blisworth 5 winner, Preen as she came home in fourth place in 38mins 59secs.

The host club was represented by fifth-placed Maree Jesson, who had a solid run in 40mins 25secs, her sixth race within the calender month so far.

R&N's female vet 60, Angela Copson is a top-class competitor and it is hard to remember the last time she was beaten in her category.

She won again in 42mins 02secs and was the eighth lady home overall.

Northants Police had a number of entrants and were led home by 20th-placed Dave Rayfield in 38mins 20secs and 13th-placed lady Julie Allington in 46mins 07secs.

Both runners are expected to feature in the County Force's team at next week's National 10 Mile Championship in Kent.

Other Police Runners included Adam Longley (47:14) in 81st and 115th-placed Mark Holland (50:56), a pleasing run in his first ever 10K race.

A total of 184 runners finished the testing course with each receiving a race vest.