TWO race records were smashed in this year’s St Albans Half Marathon.

More than 2,500 people took part in the marathon itself with a further 1,800 participants in the children’s fun run, 250 people in the walking race and 200 in the 5K.

The winner of the women’s marathon was Becky Penty, 26, who won the event last year and broke her own record of 1hr 23m with a time of 1hr 18m.

Hot on her heels was three times winner Laura Cowley, 28, who completed the race in 1hr 24m.

The men’s event was won by 24-year-old Sabian Downs, who runs for the Chiltern Harriers, with a time of 1hr 14m, breaking the record of 1hr 17m.

Second place went to Michal Glowacki, 28, from St Albans, who had already won the 5K title at 9am that same morning which he completed as a “warm-up.”

In the team results, St Albans Striders stole the title in the women’s division with the Watford Joggers in second place and the Bedford Harriers, who used the event as the club’s championship race, in third.

London Heathside won the men’s team event, with St Albans Striders and the Harpenden Runners coming second and third respectively.

SS Alban and Stephen School won the prize for the most pupils in the children’s fun run with 200 entrants, followed closely by St Columba’s College in second place and Fleetville School in third.

Race coordinator Cynthia Sample said organisers were extremely pleased with the massive turnout, positive feedback and the brilliant atmosphere of the day.

She also said that the event had a race referee for the first time who was very complementary about the organisation and recommended that the event is graded for next year, aiming for gold.