NORTH-EAST half marathon champion Stephen Hepples made a winning road race debut on Tyneside yesterday with a comfortable victory in the Wallsend 10K.

But a blustery wind and the North Yorkshireman's uncertainty about the route ruled out an attack on the 20-year-old course record and his winning time of 30 mins 19 secs was 57 seconds outside.

Redcar-based Hepples, however, was happy to beat David Wardle, of London Irish, by nine seconds, with former Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Mark Hudspith a further 39 seconds away in third place.

Hepples, who ran the fastest short-leg time in the Southern 12-Stage Road Relay Championships for second-placed Newham and Essex Beagles the previous weekend, was content to sit in and kick away to victory over the last 400 metres.

He said: "It was very windy and I knew after the first couple of miles that a record attempt wasn't on.

"I hadn't a clue which way the course went and after going the wrong way a couple of times in the past I decided to play it safe by sitting in.

"It wasn't until the last mile that I knew exactly where the finish was and I was able to take the lead."

Hepples, who has a 10K personal best of 29 mins 32 secs, added: "If it had been a better day the record might have been under threat - I did feel pretty comfortable all the way.

"But I have enjoyed my visit to Tyneside and I hope to race up here more often against the region's top runners."

Wardle, who ran a personal best, said: "I did manage to get a couple of yards in front after about 4 miles but he was soon back with me sitting in and I sensed he intended to kick away near the finish."

The women's race was won in 38 mins 8 secs by Elswick Harrier Judith Nutt, who beat North Shields Polytechnic's Claire McManus by nearly three minutes.

l Shildon AC are still taking entries for the Ann Marie Redshaw memorial event on Sunday, April 17. The open track and field meeting starts at noon and is being held at Shildon's Stadium 2000. Details and entry forms available by calling 07960 847826.