WAREHAM teacher Carl Morris was the best-placed local athlete amongst thousands of runners in the Great South Run at Portsmouth.

He ran an impressive time of 50 minutes and 27 seconds for the 10-mile distance - a performance that would have won most road races at the distance, but not in this the UK's premier event.

Morris, who competes for Poole AC and Wells City Harriers, was 18th overall in a race won by South African Hendrick Ramaala in 47:14.

Pursuing him for the local honours was Bournemouth AC's George Miller 26th in 52:52. The Bournemouth club also had the 11th woman overall as international Louise Damen clocked a useful 58:03.

Poole Runners' Mike Grist made the top 50 in a time of 54:46 and was followed by clubmate and first vet-55 Dave Cartwright in 59:31, and third woman vet-50 Trina Lindop just over 70 minutes.

Great South Run, leading local results: 18 Carl Morris 50:27, 26 George Miller (BAC) 52:52, 42 Mike Grist (PR) 54:46, 79 Louise Damen (BAC) 58:03, 101 Dave Cartwright (1st M55) (PR) 59:31, 104 Peter Rabjohns (Lytchett Matravers Striders) 59:51, 124 Mark Lacey (PAC) 61:04, 159 Jason Robbins (PAC) 62:07, 209 Richard Atkins (PAC) 64:42, 266 Stephen Littlecott (LMS) 65:42, 299 Neil Hopkinson (Wimborne AC) 66:20, 304 Tony Bancroft (Littledown Harriers) 66:25, 314 Mark Smyth (LH) 66:34, 412 Tim Fairbrother (LH) 68:09, 483 Tony Peach (LMS) 68:53, 529 Heather Khoshnevis (LH) 69:16, 629 Trina Lindop (3rd F50) 70:46, 741 Catherine Hartle (WAC) 71:17, 806 David Wilkinson (LH) 71:49, 844 Steve Daish (PR) 72:06, 895 Steve Kiddle (LH) 72:32, 993 Peter Mattacks (PAC) 73:14, 1002 Robert Frampton (PR) 73:17, 1052 Michael Long (PAC) 73:36, 1142 Roger Cross (PR) 74:10, 1210 Lesley Ujvari (PAC) 74:35, 1953 Janet Damen (PR) 78:29, 2146 Sue Wardman (PR) 79:18, 2224 Peter Weaver (LH) 79:39, 2373 Michael Alderson (PAC) 80:26, 2571 Steve Wardman (PR) 81:12, 2702 Melvyn Brooks (PR) 81:42, 5813 Mel Espin (PR) 93:45.

A number of junior athletes took part in the Great South Run's corresponding two-mile event.

Ryan Trew led the way in the shorter race for Poole Runners finishing 11th while Chris Moore was 28th and Shane Munford 41st.

Nicole Bissett was the best placed Poole Runner in the opening round of the Wessex Cross Country League held at Glastonbury.

Competing in the under-13 category she came home fourth with team-mate Phoebe Chester chasing in 34th place.

There was also a top 10 finish for James Coates with a ninth place in the under-15 boys race.

For the seniors with was Martin Lewis and Miriam Gray who led the way in 27th and 34th place in their respective races.

Wessex Cross Country (Glastonbury) Poole Runners results, Senior men: 27 Martin Thomas 27; 40 Steve Claxton; 67 Howard Lewis; 71 Rupert Pepper.

Senior women: 34 Miriam Gray; 45 Kate Towner.

U13 girls: 4 Nicole Bissett; 34 Phoebe Chester.

U13 boys: 25 Connor Ozanne.

U15 girls: 14 Zoe Lamb; 18 Rachael Cheney, 23 Emma Partridge; 28 Diana Chong.

U15 boys: 9 James Coates; 11 Bradley Marsh; 20 Jack Ferns.

U17 women: 12 Lauren Webb; 15 Lauryn Cunningham.

U17 men: 17 Jon Boyle.

Runners will be gearing up for the first of the winter 5km race series this Friday (October 15) from Boscombe Pier.

The race series, organised by Poole Runners, has grown in size in recent years and now attracts athletes from as far afield as Southampton and Salisbury.

Race entry costs £1 and will be taken on the night. The race starts from near The Neptune pub at 7.15pm. All are welcome.