A total of 423 runners competed in the Wycombe half marathon on Saturday with Dave Morgan and Liz Hartney winning the men's and women's categories. The full listing of results, along with photos of the event, will be published in this Friday's Bucks Free Press. Here's what the winners had to say about the event... 

Dave Morgan declared himself “delighted” after putting in a dominant display to win the High Wycombe half marathon on Sunday.

The runner, who came from London to compete in the event, crossed the line in a time of 1:14:43, completing the 12.3 mile course over four minutes ahead of Russell Tapping in second place.

Alistair Palmer completed the top three at the event, in which 423 runners pitched up at the Rye to compete.

Morgan said: “It was very tough, very tough with the hills, but what a great day for running. It was the coolest day we’ve had for three weeks or so, had it been yesterday I probably would have been ten minutes slower.

“I really enjoyed it, it’s a really nice course and the marshalling was just fantastic. Handy Cross Runners did a fantastic job. Every turn there were directing the way and they were cheering us on.

“It was a really good event and I’ll have to bring a few more of my friends down from London to do it next year.”

To view our gallery of Sunday's event, click here. 

Once again the course provided a stern examination of all the runners’ credentials, with Morgan commenting on the unique challenge that the Wycombe event presents as opposed to similar races.

“This was one of the first half marathons I did probably seven or eight years ago, and I think the last time was four years ago when I ran around 1:30,” added the 31-year-old.

“It was really good to come back and win, it’s fantastic. Really happy [with the time] on that course. With the hill at the start it’s so tough and you’re ready for a sit down when you get to the top of that hill.

“Some of the running round here is fantastic. I really like going up to Marlow as well and running their races. It’s so nice to be outside in the countryside, it’s really scenic and much better than running through the streets of London where there are buildings everywhere.”

The winner of the women’s race, Liz Hartney, came home in a time of 1:26:46 to finish as the fastest female, finishing 19th overall – an encouraging result as she prepares to run in the York marathon.

Charlotte Steptoe and Genevieve Heselden crossed the finish line some distance behind the 49 year-old to take second and third place respectively.

“It was hard,” said Hartney. “I did the 10k here last year, really enjoyed it and I finished feeling strong, so I thought next year I should do the half marathon because I had a lot left in my legs.

“It was about what I was aiming for. I was aiming for about 1:26, so that’s about right. One of the reasons I did this course is because it is hilly and tough so you don’t have to think it’s a slow time because it’s supposed to be slow.”

Like Morgan, Hartney, who had journeyed over from Reading, was impressed with the organisation of the event and said she would, in all likelihood, be back next year to defend her crown.

She said: “You need loads of marshals as it’s so twisty and turny through the estates, but they’re on every corner so you never had to worry about making a wrong turn.

“I think going off with the 10k people made it worse because for the first few miles you’ve got kilometre markers as well as mile markers, so you’ve passed half a dozen markers but you’ve only done three miles.

“It’s as nice a course as any. There aren’t too many half marathons at this time of the year, as they tend to stop for the summer, but it’s a nice morning out, a nice lovely venue and a nice event.”