GORDY Smith – despite suffering from a serious calf injury – led Burton AC’s gang of five home at the Ashby 20.
Smith was forced to slow his pace in the latter stages, but still clocked 2 hours, 20 minutes and 34 seconds to finish 18th overall in tough conditions.
Mathew Waggstaffe was next home, claiming a top 50 finish after clocking 2:11:53.
Wagstaffe now looks in great shape to break the three hour barrier at the London Marathon.
Next in was new runner Simon Reynolds, back after recent injury, with 301st overall and a time of 1:38.03 following a strong finish.
Ever-improving Eamon O’Hanlon was the final Burton counter in his maiden 20-mile race.
O’Hanlon clocked 2:48:50 to finish 439th for a top half finish in the bumper field.
Local runner Abbey Norman was also in action and crossed the line in 2:12:03 for 49th. Her father Timothy Norman clocked 2:23:54 to bag 153rd spot.
