Paul Martelletti went one better than 12 months ago after winning the Watford Half Marathon on Sunday.

The runner has finished second to Yared Hagos in the past two years at the event but managed to reverse the result in cold and windy conditions.

Martelletti clocked a time of 1.06.52 to take first place, with Hagos closely behind after finishing in 1.07.13.

Martyn Cryer was third, although he was some way back of the two front runners in a time of  1.11.07.

Race organiser Richard Parles said: “It went really well and we had good races in both the men’s and women’s category.

“Paul finally managed to exact a bit of revenge by winning the event. Yared got on the wrong train from Loughborough and it ended up taking him seven hours.

“The bottom line is I think it had an impact on him and he ran out of energy towards the end of the race.”

Victoria Knight claimed victory in the women’s race as the over-35 competitor completed the course in 1.18.16.

Claire Hallissey marked her return to Watford by coming second. The 2012 Olympic athlete finished in a time of 1.18.37.

Louise Wiker was third fastest as she recorded a time of 1.20.39.

Parles said: “I spoke to Claire at the end and she has been out with injuries recently.

“It’s a fairly demanding course and I think her lack of mileage told in the end.”

The course was altered this year, with Bottom Lane and Rousebarn Lane left out because these roads are frequently affected by flooding.

Parles said: “I think the changes worked very well and meant we had virtually no flooding at all.

“I want to thank the Second North Watford Scout Group, St John Ambulance, Raynet, Watford Police, Herts County Council highways department and particularly Watford Joggers for providing the marshals.”

Leavesden Green won the Junior Schools Challenge Trophy while Nascot Wood won the Infants Challenge Trophy.

Harrison Wicks broke the Under-8s 1.2k course record by five seconds after the Bovingdon Academy youngster won the race in a time of 5.05. Nascot Wood Junior School pupil Max Pendry was second after clocking 5.14.

Evie Light won the girls race in a time of 5.40, ahead of Holly Cameron (5.51).

In the Under-10’s 2.5k event, York House’s Thomas Hobbs won in a time of 9.42 which was well clear of nearest challenger Scott Gildersleve (10.44).

Charlotte House’s Sabrina Jansen topped the girls race in 11.02, ahead of Scarlett Gammell (11.17).

Christopher Hudson won the Under-12’s 2.5k race after finishing in 9.36. James Dunne was the runner-up in a time of 10.35.

Royal Masonic’s Freya Witheat won the girls event in 10.53, ahead of Leavesden Green’s Charlotte Masters (11.00).

In the Under-14 competition, Watford Grammar School for Boys’ Oliver Griffiths stormed to victory in a time of 8.55. Queens’ Adithya Nandakumar was runner-up after recording 9.23.

Royal Masonic’s Grace Ingles won the girls race in 9.12 ahead of Caitlin Johal (10.29).

Alexandra Sapte won the over-14’s race in a time of 10.33.