ALASTER Stewart won the Thrifty Wycombe Half Marathon, finishing almost four minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

The 32-year-old Belgrave Harrier and Redhill Road Runner made a glorious return to the area where he grew up to become the 18th man to win the 13.1 mile event despite scorching temperatures.

He finished well clear of 2003 champion Paul Gregory to take the title in a time of one hour, 11 minutes and 57 seconds.

Vale of Aylesbury runner Gregory finished in 1.15.56 and Italian professional runner Massimiliano Monteforte was third in 1.16.00.

And it was third time lucky for Stewart.

He had tried to enter the event on two previous occasions but had to pull out through injury.

The former Dr Challoners student, who grew up in Amersham, said: "I've always wanted to win this one and now I have. I've entered it twice before but always been injured so it is good to win it now."

He added: "The last five miles were hard because there was no shade out there. I had no-one really pushing me so it was harder. I was hoping for a quicker time but the conditions didn't help."

On a morning when the temperatures soared into the eighties, it was no surprise Stewart's time was well down on the course record of 1.06.56 but second-placed Gregory said he was still way too hot.

He said: "I just couldn't live with him. He was always in front and I thought he might blow up in the heat, but he seemed to get stronger. Instead it was me who was struggling in the temperatures."

The ladies race was won by Lesley Whiley. The 45-year-old Reading Road Runner, who has so often been the bridesmaid in this event, finally achieved the win when she crossed the finish line more than one minute ahead of second-placed Claire Donald.

Whiley's winning time was one hour, 26 minutes and 48 seconds.

See Friday's Bucks Free Press for all the runners' times, positions and pictures in our special half marathon pull-out supplement.