Bayer 10k winner reclaims title

Hundreds lined the route to cheer on competitors as they set off from the Market Place this morning (Sunday)

A MEMBER of the armed forces reclaimed his title as the winner of the Bayer 10k road race this morning.

Thatcham man, Gareth Watkins, a member of 42 Engineer regiment who works at the Royal school of military survey, Hermitage won the race which started and ended in Market Place, Newbury.

Mr Watkins, who entered the race for the first time and won last year, said: “I wanted to come back and have another go.

"I wanted to beat my time which I did by 10 seconds.”

About 850 people entered the race, which was the most that have ever entered, and Bayer's head of corporate communications, Steve Painter said: “It's a really great and growing community event.”