Off and running: The gallant 500-plus put their best foot forward in St John Pictures: TONY PIKE (0122036)

FOR the first time since 2004 Jersey runners lifted the men’s and women’s titles in the Hash House Harriers Fantastic North Run yesterday.

James Cunningham completed the scenic 13.1 mile-course from St John to the northern end of St Ouen’s Bay in 1 hr 16 min 49 sec and Jo Gorrod, in 1.21.02

Of the two runners, 27-year-old Cunningham, had the harder race to run. Having only just recovered from tendonitis, with no training runs for the last two weeks and dubious that he would be able to complete the race.

He also had to shake off first Bruno Francisco at Vinchelez Manor and then Tony Banks (1.16.56) who clung to the Spartan runner’s footsteps with 200m to go.

While this was the Jersey Spartan runner’s first win over the course, for Gorrod it was her sixth. She dominated the race from the start, finishing five minutes ahead of second-placed Katie Thompson who, like Gorrod, is representing Jersey in this year’s NatWest Island Games.