And Kimberworth Strider Kevin Doyle will already be counting the days to the next one after storming to first place in Saturday's big Rowbotham's Round Rotherham Ultramarathon.

In the 32nd running of the race, almost 300 entered the 50 mile event with a record 26 relay teams making the starting line.

The weather. couldn't have been worse in the lead-up with several days of rain making the conditions muddy and sticky, not conducive to fast times.

There were no pre-race favourites but last year's runner-up Kevin, from Kimberworth Striders, was expected to make a strong showing.

And he did just that.

At Woodsetts, just past the half way mark, he had an advantage of around five minutes on the second man and romped home in first place in 6 hours 52 minutes. It was a well deserved win for Kevin and an improvement of 11 minutes on last year's time.

Runner-up was Ian Symington of Calder Valley Fell Runnersin 7: 11. Michael Hyde (Stadium Runners) and last year's winner, Kevin Hoult (Calder Valley Fell Runners), tied for third in 7:35.

The difficulty was then awarding the trophy, as only one could be awarded, but Kevin generously offered it to Michael.

The ladies race saw first-time entrant Helen Pickford, from Sheffield AC, come home first in 8:2, which was good enough for ninth overall. Following in equal second were two more first time ,entrants, Susan Keens of Maltby RR and Elizabeth Hutson from Sheffield Tri Club in 8:56.

First team trophies. were awarded once again to Kimberworth Striders, who also took top spot in 2013, with a combined time of 22:57.

The team was Kevin Doyle (1st), Paul Buchanan (5th) and Colin Earl (16th). Runners-up, for a second consecutive year, were Portsmouth Joggers.

Maltby RC entered two teams. The mixed group finished fourth overall and were first mixed team. The open team finished 13th.

A total of 226 runners and walkers finished the full 50 miles with the first Rotherham Harrier, Gary Ridgeway, a first-time entrant, collecting the Ralph Rowbotham Trophy.

WITH 26 team entries this year, beating the previous record of 22, it demonstrated how important the relay is in the Rowbotham's Round Rotherham showpiece.

The overall winning team again were Clowne A, taking their third consecutive victory in a time of 5 hours, 26 minutes.                                                .

The ladies winners were Kimmy Kittens (Kimberworth Striders) who were also last year's rostrum-toppers.

They were eighth overall in 6:55. Mixed team winners went to Maltby Merrymakers (Maltby Road Runners), who were fourth overall in 6:23.

Rotherham Harriers fielded three groups.

The veterans, Baileys Bombers, were first club team home in 17:33.

The ladies team, Women in Black, who were beset by injury and illness in the week before the race which meant that two had to double up on legs, did well to finish overall 19th in 7:44.

The final Harriers' team, Rotherham Rookies, finished 24th in 8:59.

Twenty-five teams finished overall with one being disqualified due to a runner going missing in between checkpoints and their outgoing runner setting off without waiting for the incoming runner to arrive!

Said a club spokesman: "Once again the Round Rotherham was a great success for the club and many thanks must go to the volunteers who put in a tremendous amount of time, effort and commitment to make it work on the day; not least the checkpoint officials who provide the refreshments and record numbers and times but also manage to smile for the competitors.

"The runners report year after year what a pleasure it is to take part. Feedback on the day again was positive with entrants full of praise for the organisation and checkpoint officials. Lots of positive comments said it all."