Paul Martelletti successfully defended his Watford Half Marathon title after clinching the biggest margin of victory at the event on Sunday.

Martelletti, who runs for Victoria Park Harriers, was in a class of his own at the weekend as he raced away from the field to record a winning time of 1.07.31.

He finished more than five minutes ahead of his closest challenger, with Daniel Steel second in a time of 1.12.51.

Luke Delderfield was third, after finishing in 1.13.59.

Race organiser Richard Parles said: “It was more of a training run for him. He is training for the London Marathon and running about 120 to 130 miles each week.

"It was just a little workout for him.

“He had a very good run indeed because the conditions weren't easy out there. It was pretty breezy so I think it was an exceptionally good run.”

The women’s competition was again won by Cambridge and Coleridge athlete Victoria Knight, in a time of 1.18.24, which ensured the unusual feat of both winners defending their title.

Knight upset the odds by getting the better of Winchester and District’s Hayley Munn, with the well-fancied athlete second in 1.18.29.

Parles said: “I thought the women’s race was fantastic. I didn’t think Victoria would beat Hayley going into the race.

"I saw after about a mile-and-a-half Hayley was a good five or six seconds in front.

"But Victoria had the benefit of knowing the course. It’s not an easy course with a few hard hills and Victoria kept a bit in the tank so it was a brilliant defence.

"Hayley just ran out of puff towards the end but it was a tactically astute run from the winner. They both had good times, without a doubt, so it was a very good effort.”

Triathlete Lucy Charles came third in the women’s run and produced a personal best time of 1.20.59.

Parles said: “It was a massive personal best by her. She is the World under-25 ironman triathlete champion and is a truly outstanding swimmer, but this run was a massive breakthrough.”

The fastest M40 runner was Paul Cheetham after he recorded a time of 1.15.40 for ninth place overall. Nigel Rackham was the quickest M50 competitor after finishing 17th in a time of 1.17.52.

Former race organiser Ken Haslar, who ran the event in the 1980s, made a welcome return to Watford this year as he completed the half-marathon.

Watford mayor Dorothy Thornhill was in attendance to hand out prizes after the race. There were 1,868 finishers in Cassiobury Park on Sundayand the feedback from the event was largely positive.

“It went extremely well in fairly trying conditions,” Parles said. “Everyone did their bit on the day and the majority of runners were extremely happy with the event.”

Parles added: “Thanks must go to Watford Joggers for marshalling the event and . I also want to mention the 2nd North Watford Scouts for looking after the water stations around the course.

“I also want to thank St John Ambulance, Raynet for their communication around the course and very good support from Watford Police.”