MALVERN Joggers star Emma Gooderham finished second at the World Trophy 50-kilometre final.

The school teacher was defending her ladies’ title but admitted she did not feel as well prepared this time.

Gooderham secured runners- up spot in three hours 33 minutes 32 seconds on a warm, windy day on the coast of northern Italy.

She previously won her age group at the tough Comrades race in South Africa.

The 41-year-old said: “I didn’t feel as ready as last year and, having raced Comrades in June, wasn’t going to defend my title as I still felt I needed more recovery.

“However, the England team persuaded me to go and I actually decided to definitely take part two days before the race. I was elated to get second place.”

􀁥 Garry Hughes and Millie Barnes were the men’s and women’s winners respectively at the Mud Runner Classic.

The adults tackled around seven miles of muddy conditions by Eastnor Castle.

Ledbury’s Clifford Berry and Barry Thompson were 14th and 15th, while Malvern Cycle Sports’ Stephen Jones managed 19th.

RESULTS

Men: 1 Hughes 55 minutes 21.95 seconds, 2 James Bingham 55.50.92, 3 Jonathan Barnes 57.59.05, 4 Jon Mansfield 58.40.31, 5 Luke James 59.50;

women: 1 Millie Barnes one hour four minutes 18.60 seconds, 2 Niki Morgan 1.09.44.93, 3 Emma Gill 01.11.43.36, 4 Petra Vymetalova 01.13.20.44, 5 Holly Blount 01.16.29.94;

boys: 1 Joe Morrow 20.50.71, 2 James Southall 20.53.47, 3 Joshua Dowle 21.08, 4 Jake Cavens 21.20.39, 5 Ben Williams 21.34.21;

girls: 1 Helen Jubb 24.01.15, 2 Ella Jones 25.57.36, 3 Emily Dowle 26.07.48, 4 Megan Creed 26.09.62, 5 Isobel Hartley Smyth 27.02.74.