Gary O'Brien made hard work of it, but eventually won the fourth Swindon Half Marathon yesterday.

The 36-year-old personal fitness trainer from Swindon was first across the line in a time of 1hr 17mins and 23secs, as around 2,000 people took to the town's streets for the fourth annual event.

But O'Brien was grateful for the healthy lead he built up in the first half of the course as he, by his own admission, struggled in the final miles.

Having just been crowned the winner, he said: "It was tough.

"I did the Cricklade Half Marathon last week and it caught up with me at 11 miles.

"My legs were really struggling but fortunately I had a big enough lead to hold on to.

"The crowd were brilliant. I'm a Swindon lad so a lot of people knew me out there so I was getting lots of cheers, and they really kept me going.

"I wasn't sure coming into the race if I would win because you never know who's going to turn up on the day.

"I've had a good season and won quite a few races so thought I was in with a chance.

"In the end though it was a great feeling to win it."

O'Brien finished ahead of Mike Powell, from Slough, and Swindon-based Alex Fisher, in second and third respectively.

Fisher, competing in his first Swindon Half Marathon, said: "The first six miles was good but I found the second half really tiring.

"The last three miles were killing me.

"I usually do a lot of duathlons, so this was a little bit different and it's only the third half marathon I've ever done."

The first lady home was Shona Crombie-Hicks. who has represented Great Britain in the Commenwealth Games.

The Winchester runner was also taking part in Swindon for the first time but enjoyed it so much that she has vowed to come back.

"It is quite a tough course and very hilly," she revealed.

"But the support in the last couple of miles is very good, just when you need it.

"The only time I've been to Swindon is when we've been greyhound racing but I'll definitely be coming back to defend my title next year."