The world record time for the Castle 5k series race to be completed by a 65-year-old has been smashed at a Carlisle track.

Alistair Walker, from Hawick, has recorded a time of 17 minutes and 11 seconds (gun time) and 17 minutes and nine seconds on the chip at Sheepmount Athletics Track in Carlisle.

Claire and Brian Allen, who run race organisers Sport in Action, said: “The race last night was the first ever event so we were over the moon when Alistair said he wanted to attempt the world record with us.

“The Castle 5k Series consists of four events, one each month in June to September, with medals for each event so runners can collect all four.

“Even though we had Alistair there last night, the event was open to all runners of all ages and abilities.

“We were and always are supported by the running clubs in and around Cumbria and the running community supporters certainly were out in force last night cheering the first to the last runners equally.

“It was fab to hear and see."

Walker said: “I feel really good about it.

“I hadn’t run since I was 37 until 2019.

“I used to run for Scotland, and I won the World Championship in 2019.

“I think the 20 years of rest I had have saved my legs, and they are still quite spritely.

“I am going to look at the track records now; the 5k and 10k look doable, they’re a bit faster than the road times, but there’s no reason I can’t get near them."