CHIPPENHAM runner Edwina Shirazian, 40, was the first lady home in today’s Swindon Half Marathon.

The 40-year-old occupational therapy technician came home in one hour, 35 minutes, smashing her previous best time in Swindon of one hour, 44 minutes, from four or five years ago.

“It’s not my best-ever, but this course is tough and hilly,” she said. “I just thought I would come in and have a run. I haven’t done it in a few years.

“I went off steady with no expectations and found myself going past the first lady at eight miles. She told me to push on because she didn’t want the pressure on herself.”

Numbers were up for therace, with an increase in entries, crowds and, most importantly, money raised for the British Heart Foundation.

The heart charity expects to break through the £100,000 barrier in the next week, as sponsorship pledges continue to stream in off the back of the runners’ efforts.

Cool and foggy conditions were an improvement on the weather in 2013, which kept some entrants away at the last minute.

The estimated number of entries across the half marathon, five-mile multi-terrain event and two-mile fun run was 2,000, including on-the-day entries in the shorter races.

The first runner home of the 1,200 in the half marathon was Richard Batsford, 24, of Bunce Road in Stratton, who works at WH Smith’s warehouse in Greenbridge.

He broke the tape in a time little outside 79 minutes, which surpassed all expectations, including his brother’s, who bet him £10 he wouldn’t break 87 minutes.

“It’s just consistency in my training, I think,” he said. “I only entered last week because I have been doing 35 miles per week and regular nine-mile runs which have come quite naturally.

“The support was good out on the course. Better than the last time I did it, a few years ago.

“I normally do nine miles in an hour when I’m running on my own, so when I went through nine miles today in 54 or 55 minutes, I felt confident I could push on and win.

“I never expected to come in and win today.”

Martin Lane, 42, of Bowleymead in Eldene, was the first wheelchair finisher. He is no stranger to the sporting arena however, as captain of England’s wheelchair rugby league team.

The Cardiff Metropolitan University student said: “If it’s under two hours I’ll be ecstatic. It’s looking like it’s going to be pretty close.

“The blisters are tough, but my chair makes a noise as I go and I use that for rhythm to get myself through.

“I’m doing it for The Open Door Centre and Love Swindon charities. They do some unbelievable work in the town.

“If I find my time is under two hours I will get an extra £100 coming in next week. My fingers are crossed.”

To donate to Martin’s cause, visit: www.gofundme.com/ampvio