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THE REGION'S top road runners headed to Torquay on Sunday night for the seafront 10k race.

The Torbay Royal Regatta event attracted 531 entries, 475 who completed the race.

Runners started outside the Pavilion Shopping Centre at 7pm and ran along the Torbay road to Paignton Green.

After two flat and fast laps of the green, they returned to Torquay over the testing Hollicombe hills to finish on Corbyn Head.

Several runners completed the race in quick time with the overall winner, Tom Merson, from South West Road Runners club, finishing in 32 minutes and 54 seconds.

But the course record of 30 minutes, set by Rob Wise and clocked nearly 20 years ago, remains unbeaten.

Race organiser Greg Fine said: "There was a great atmosphere and it went really well. There were a lot of individuals running for charity."

Other speedy racers included Adam Carlson from Torbay Athletics Club, who finished in 33 minutes and 18 seconds; and Peter Haarer, who runs with Ranelagh Harriers, and completed the course in 33 minutes 28 seconds.

Sue Walker, who runs with Exeter Tri Club, was the fastest woman with a speed of 39 minutes and 12 seconds. She was closely followed by Women's Running Network competitor Alison Thorn who finished in 40 minutes and 24 seconds. And Deborah Pitocco from South Devon Athletics Club crossed the finish line just 13 seconds later.

The oldest competitor was 77-year-old Ken House, who finished with a time of 53 minutes 49 seconds and came 292 overall. He recently moved into second place in the 2008 UK male Vet75 rankings for 5000m.

One of the youngest competitors was teenager Sam Hopton who finished 12th with a time of 36 minutes and seven seconds.