DEFEAT could turn out to be a good omen for York long distance runner Darran Bilton.

That's what he's hoping after having to settle for second in the Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York as he continues his gruelling preparation for his debut as a UK international in Hong Kong on February 27.

Bilton finished 51 seconds behind Brass Monkey winner Dave Watson (Holmfirth) after the York athlete had taken the lead three miles into the race but was overtaken after eight. Scarborough's Jonathan Bateman was third.

"Rather than being the death-knell for my marathon it might be a good omen," Bilton said. "In previous years I've done personal bests in half marathons only to then under-perform in marathons. Maybe this time it will be the other way round.

"I have been training so hard recently and doing lots of speed work, but it was missing in the Brass Monkey. My time would have been good enough to win most half marathons but not this time.

"It was still useful preparation for Hong Kong. It lets me know my fitness level over distance."

Next Saturday he runs for Leeds City AC in the North East Cross County Championships at Consett but is using the event purely as a training exercise.

Scottish international Hayley Haining won the women's Brass Monkey, finishing 14th overall.

She clocked 1 hour 13 min 31 sec to beat the course record, set last year by Tracey Morris (Valley Striders), by 13 seconds. Olympic runner Morris was second woman, a minute slower than last year.

Brass Monkey Half Marathon results

Open: 1 David Watson (Holmfirth Harriers) 69 min 07 sec, 2 Darran Bilton (Leeds City) 70-01, 3 Jonathan Bateman (Scarborough) 70-19, 4 Neil Clayton (Otley) 70-47, 5 Carl Ryde (Doncaster & Stainforth) 71-14.

Men's over-40: 1 John Convery (Bingley) 71-42, 2 Martin Grainger (Darlington) 71-47, 3 William Bingham (Loftus) 76-17.

Men's O-45: 1 Mark Hall (Barnsley) 73-30, 2 Graham Cunliffe (Clayton Le Moors) 79-33, 3 Jack Mason (Darlington) 79-44.

Men's O-50: 1 Simon Richardson (Pocklington Runners) 77-09, 2 Richard Gay (Beverley) 78-06, 3 Ian Scott (Darlington Quakers) 79-58.

Men's O-55: 1 Neil Scruton (Scarborough) 82-35, 2 Geoff Cumber (Halifax) 83-00, 3 Raymond Hall (Halifax) 84-39.

Men's O-60: 1 Brian Humble (Road Runners Club) 86-39, 2 Oliver Downing (Bingley) 90-14, 3 Colin Utterson (York Acorn) 90-35.

Men's O-65: 1 David Reading (Scarborough) 99- 23, 2 John Dale (Selby Striders) 104-18, 3 Bruce Christie (Wigton) 109-42.

Men's O-70: 1 Mick Ward (Oswestry Olympians) 99-3, 2 Kenneth Bingley (Ackworth) 108-05.

Women's open: 1 Hayley Haining (Kilbarchan) 73-31, 2 Melanie Hayward (Beverley) 78-11, 3 Bernadette Taylor (Darlington) 78-40.

Women's O-35: 1 Tracey Morris (Valley Striders) 74-47, 2 Monique Hollingshead (Dewsbury) 83-14, 3 Sue Basuttil (Thirsk & Sowerby) 86-58.

Women's O-40: 1 Alison Rawe (Darlington) 83-01, 2 Karen Bexon (Goole Viking) 85-34, 3 Julie Barley (Leeds City) 86-28.

Women's O-45: 1 Dawn Gibbs (York Acorn) 85-26, 2 Mary Harris (Valley Striders) 88-39, 3 Lindsay Kay (Newton Aycliffe) 90-35.

Women's O-50s: 1 Christine McAleenan (Thirsk & Sowerby) 93-25; 2 Linda Brewis (Longwood) 95-17; 3 Patricia Muller (Rotherham) 97-20.

Women's O-55s: Sue Martin 99-04; 2 Lynn Woods (New Marske) 101-50; 3 Shirley Gibson (Darlington) 104-23.

Women's O-60s: Maureen Kirby (Hull Springhead) 110-35; 2 Carole Raistrick (St Bede's) 117-41; 3 Hilary Wharam 127-16.

Updated: 10:32 Tuesday, January 25, 2005