ADRIAN Whitwam ran one of the fastest long-distant races seen in Reading for some time last Sunday.

He won the Rivermead 10k, alongside the Thames at Caversham, in just 35 minutes 7 seconds, incredibly finishing more than seven minutes ahead of the second man home, Craig Sanders, while Dennis Simmons was third in 43:10.

As he showed, Adrian is not your average runner.

A member of Morpeth Harriers, the 43-year-old has represented Great Britain, is a multiple champion and medalist in Army and Inter-Services events and completed last year's Berlin Marathon in 2hrs 28mins 10secs.

The first female to finish the MCC-promoted event last Sunday was Reading Roadrunners stalwart Alison Bird in 45:54 in 10th place overall, with Alice Dewsnap right behind her.

Roadrunners' Laura Batten was 53rd in 56:18, with club colleague Socrates Christidis 70th in 59:38.

Race director Mark Caswell kindly gave me the opportunity to be one of the race marshals, a role I thoroughly enjoyed along with others who included an ice hockey player on his way to a game at Cardiff and a mechanic for Formula One giants McLaren at their Woking HQ.

The Rivermead 10k will be held again next year although the course may be slightly altered.

MICHAEL Butcher, Director of Football at John Madejski Academy, has left Bracknell Town FC, where he was assistant manager.

His decision to quit comes two weeks after the Isthmian League club had sacked team boss Sam Lock after just five months.

Butcher, who is also on Reading City's books, said he is now looking for a fresh challenge.

One of his JMA players, goalkeeper Jordi Wilson, who plays for Reading City at U23 and U18 level, made his debut for Berks & Bucks U18 when

they were beaten 5-2 by Middlesex in the first round of the FA County Youth Cup at Uxbridge FC on Sunday.

With Wilson making several fine saves, B&B led 2-0 early in the second half, but then conceded five goals and finished with nine men following two red cards.