STUART Temple is celebrating the best win of his short career after racing to victory in the Devizes half marathon.

The 30-year-old, from Old Town, proved strongest over a challenging course last Sunday, pulling clear to defeat Corsham-based Army man Mike Tooley and top county women’s distance-runner Ruth Barnes after the trio had opened a decisive gap.

“It was the first time I have raced the Devizes half and it was nice to win,” said Temple who is a member of Slinn Allstars.

“The course had a bit of everything. There was a big hill at the start, which set it all off, and afterwards, it was quite up and down, so it wasn’t a personal best type of course.”

Indeed, Temple’s winning time of 79 minutes and five seconds was well outside his personal best of 77:55, which he set just last month in the Bath half to finish in the top 100, but that wasn’t to say he didn’t enjoy a Devizes event that attracted close to 500 runners.

“It was tough but the race was very well-organised and I enjoyed the interesting course,” added Temple.

The victory continues Temple’s good start to the year.

In February, the 35-year-old ran a PB of 60:19 to finish 19th in the Wiltshire 10-mile road race in Melksham and then followed that up with his success in the Bath half before Sunday’s triumph.

Other local runners to impress in Devizes included Paul Coles of Marlborough Running Club, who finished ninth and first veteran over 40 in 86:40, and Swindon Harriers’ Martin Bridgeman, who was 19th (88:28).