SHAUN ANTELL was in a race of his own at the latest Gliddon and Squire North Devon Cross Country League meeting.

In fact the North Devon Road Runner could even afford to give his rivals a head start.

Despite missing the start of the senior men's race at West Buckland School, Antell surged through the field to win in style.

He said: "It was a bit of a nightmare. I was there in enough time but they changed the course and I didn't know where it was.

"I was watching the other races and cheering the guys on when someone came up to me and said, 'Are you in the senior men's race? Oh, they've just gone'."

Vicky Skelton, a team-mate from North Devon Road Runners, urged Antell not to panic and pointed him in the right direction.

Gradually he began clawing back the other athletes, estimated to have started up to three minutes earlier.

Antell said: "I wasn't 100 per cent sure where I was going so I was quite relieved when I saw some runners in front of me."

Antell, who helped Devon win gold at the South West Cross Country Championships last week, was still strong enough to win comfortably.

Having triumphed in three North Devon League meetings this season, he will be favourite to land the men's title in the final event at West Buckland next month.

Last year, representing Bristol and West AC, Antell set personal bests of 8mins 37secs for 3km, 15-16 for 5km and 31-53 for 10km.

The North Devon League has helped him maintain that pace while working on his strength.

"I just wanted to keep the speed going," said Antell. "The Gliddon and Squire is good because it's short and quick. I've stepped up the training and I'm feeling quite good."

Next week he hopes to compete in Alby's Memorial Braunton 10, before turning his attention to the big cross-country races, the National and the Inter-Counties.

North Devon Road Runners are hosting Alby's Memorial on Sunday, January 29.

The ten-mile road race provides a popular and challenging way to start the year and is ideal for athletes of all abilities. Starting at the athletics track in Braunton at 11am, runners will take on a hilly course through country lanes.

Entry costs £12, or £10 for those affiliated with England Athletics. Entries are available on the day before 10.30am for £2 extra. Category prizes are available and all finishers receive a T-shirt.

To download a form or enter online, visit www.northdevon roadrunners.com