DANIEL Edmunds achieved his first race victory after clocking 7:04:50 in the gruelling 45.5-mile Evesham Ultra.

Edmunds finished ahead of Wells City Harriers’ Oliver Frost (7:26:24) and Honiton Running Club’s Ben Stone, who was third in 7:32:08.

Mercia Fell Runners’ Kate Whitfield won the women’s race in 7:51:38, with Angie Sadler (Tewkesbury AC) taking second and Birmingham Running and Triathlon Club member Jill McGee finishing third.

The 2015 edition of Evesham Ultra began with 43 runners setting out along the River Avon in perfect racing conditions.

The cool morning encouraged a fast start, with the leaders setting covering the rolling eight miles to Bredon Hill in an hour.

Frost, Stone, and Martin O’Connor broke away from the rest on the long ascent.

By 10 miles, 2015 ladies’ winner Whitfield, had opened a gap to Tewkesbury’s Sadler.

By the time the leaders had climbed Alderton Hill on their way to the 20-mile aid station near Gretton, Edmunds had joined the men’s lead group.

As the sun burned off the cloud cover, the head of the race had made short work of Langley Hill and reached the half-way station at Winchcombe with the leading four continuing to run strongly, well ahead of the rest.

At Stanway House, 30 miles into the race, Edmunds had created a five-minute gap.

With all of the frontrunners pushing their limits, navigation became difficult, with each missing turns at different points along the route.

Edmunds and Frost reached Broadway Tower at 37 miles only four minutes apart, creating a chase for the final 8.5 miles back to Evesham.

With no significant hills remaining, the pair were back racing at seven minutes per mile along the footpaths to Wickhamford and Badsey. Edmunds’ faster pace and some late navigation issues from Frost and Stone broke the gap at the front wide open.

Edmunds reached the uphill finish along Bridge Street with a healthy lead, completing the 45.5-mile course in 7:04:50 for his maiden race victory.

Frost held on to second, crossing the line in 7:26:24 and Stone followed shortly after in 7:32:08. Whitfield retained her title, finishing sixth overall in 7:51:38 and 20 minutes and two positions ahead of Sadler.

Results, Men’s: 1 Daniel Edmunds 7:04:50 (Unaffiliated); 2 Oliver Frost 7:26:24 (Wells City Harriers); 3 Ben Stone 7:32:08 (Honiton Running Club).

Women’s 1 Kate Whitfield 7:51:38 (Mercia Fell Runners); 2 Angie Sadler 08:01:45 (Tewkesbury AC); 3 Jill McGee 8:46:01 (Birmingham Running and Triathlon).