CHILTERN Harrier Derek Brown claimed his first Wycombe Half Marathon title at the 12th time of asking on Sunday, while women's champion Jude Craft retained her crown for the third year running.

In uncomfortably sunny conditions, Brown completed the course in 1 hour, 13 minutes, 48 seconds, well outside the course record, but good enough to see the 41-year-old triumph.

Afterwards, Brown said: "I came here to win it, that was my goal for the summer. I've been running it for the last 12 years and it was a really good feeling to come over that line first."

Brown admitted that apart from the gruelling start, which takes runners straight up Marlow Hill, he felt quite comfortable.

"You have to work hard for the first mile but after that its alright," he said. "I thought I had been caught by the guy in second at about nine miles but I had quite of bit of space by the end."

In fact, Brown finished almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival Andrew Lynch (1.14.41). Gary Harris claimed third (1.14.57) while local runners Peter Smith and Trevor Cook filled fourth and fifth spot.

Meanwhile, Jude Craft retained the women's title with a time of 1hr, 21min, 48sec, but admitted she thought about dropping out with four miles to go.

The 28-year-old, a member of Headington Road Runners, said: "I got to nine miles and thought 'oh my god', I kept thinking I'd run for a while, then walk for a while. If there had been someone on my shoulder, I don't know how I would have done.

"But I was running to retain my title, which kept me going and I've never dropped out of a race, I always think I'll finish even if I crawl over the line.

"There were also some people on the side of the road shouting 'come on, you can do it' and that kept me going."

Lesley Whiley took second spot in the women's event. Rhona MacDonald finished third.