Some 50 runners turned out in extreme heat to run the 31st consecutive Bishops Cannings 5,000m Dash.

The overall victor, in a time of 18mins 30secs, was Simon Nott, a winner on three previous occasions.

Simon was just nine seconds off the record set in 2005 by Alasdair McLean-Foreman and felt, but for a few young cows that strayed onto the course, the record would have been his.

As usual, the dash took place alongside the village’s church fete, which boasted the usual array of stalls, sideshows and games. This year there was also a display of traction engines.

Organiser Francis Goddard said: “It is a rural race and wandering livestock are an accepted hazard. Next year should see a head-to-head clash between Simon and Alasdair.”

Second was Sam Pictor, twice a previous winner. Third, for the third successive year, was Peter Merritt.

First woman home was Sarah Kingston from Southampton and first boy was Thomas Flynn. First girl was Pippa Royal from Bishops Cannings, who beat her elder sister Lottie into third place. Nick Hopgood was first veteran with Clive Byrne first super veteran. A new category this year was woman super veteran, the winner being Bishops Cannings’ own Jenny Clarke.

Mr Goddard said: “Every entrant completed the course and received a 60th Coronation anniversary medal.

“Congratulations to all and particular thanks to Angela and Sarah Minns for all their hard work in helping organise the event. The 32nd running of this great event takes place on Saturday, July 12, 2014.”