FOR those looking for a longer off-road race which is both picturesque and challenging, then running the Clarendon marathon is often top of the list.

First run in 1998, the route travels from Salisbury to Winchester along the ancient Clarendon Way, with a few extra turns here and there to make up a full 26.2 miles.

The trail follows country tracks and paths – many of which have not changed since being travelled by the ancient kings and queens of England – and entrants can choose to run the marathon solo or as part of a relay.

This year, Alton Runners took a relay team along and a solo entrant, Adrian Lambeth.

They were all thankful for a much sunnier day than expected and Stephen Clow explained how much he’d been looking forward to the race.

“This is my second time doing the relay,” he said.

“I enjoyed it so much last year that I persuaded a group of fellow Alton Runners to join me this year. It is so beautiful and is definitely one of my absolute favourite races.”

The relay team finished a remarkable eighth of the mixed teams and Jo Scawn recalled how her relay leg was a mixed blessing.

“It was very muddy indeed but I am so grateful that I got lots of downhills in my section!” she said.

Choosing the Clarendon as only his second marathon, solo runner Adrian managed to come in a minute before the club relay team, in an impressive time of three hours 45 minutes for 28th out of the 330 runners.

Although scenic and enjoyable, he described the race as “very hard, muddy and slippery”.

But the mud on the day doesn’t appear to have put anyone off and Stephen said he planned to return next year with even more relay teams.