Home town runner Dave Carter won the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon today and was inspired to victory by his family.

The 33-year-old Phoenix runner claimed success at the tenth attempt in a personal best 1hr.11min.17sec.

In a Sussex-dominated race, Daniel Anderson (Hastings) was second, 40 seconds behind, and 45-year-old Tracy Harris (Brighton and Hove) was third.

Further down the field, which attracted a record entry of 4,900 runners, were Carter's brothers Steve (1hr.32min) and Sean (1hr.40min), dad Nick (1hr.52min) and partner Debbie Friis (1hr.45min).

Carter, rewarded with a big hug and kiss from Debbie, said: It gave me a huge lift knowing my family and partner were taking part. It was my dad who first got me into athletics. We had hoped to complete a win double, although he missed out on the 60-69-year-olds' vets prize.

"My brothers did well, too, and we finished in age order. I had to make sure I beat both of them as I'm the youngest. Steve is 36 and Sean 38."

Carter enjoyed the conditions, which were sunnny with a light breeze, on the course along the seafront and around Brighton.

He was also delighted to take full advantage when injury-troubled reigning champion James Baker (Chichester) pulled out halfway round the course.

Phoenix club runner Carter, fourth last year, said: "I've had a couple of top-five finishes in recent years and felt going good going in.

"I often run my best races in February as I build up for the London Marathon in April. Conditions were pretty perfect and I wasn't too unhappy about James stopping after about seven miles."

Anderson was pleased with the runners-up spot after missing his connecting train which meant he had to cycle 15 miles to Brighton.

Harris struck a blow for the older runners and revealed how he got back to full fitness after a bike accident threatened his running career.

He said: "It has taken me about five or six years but I'm over it. I enjoyed the run, although my main focus is triathlon and duathlon now. I'm hoping to compete in both world championships this summer."

Clubmate Andrew Donno was the pick of the male under-21s, finishing ninth overall (1hr.16min.35sec).

First Sussex finisher in the ladies race was Samantha Alvarez (Hailsham Harriers) who was third (1hr.24min.02sec).

The 32-year-old mum-of-one maintained her impressive recent form but did not have much time to celebrate as she dashed straight home to prepare daughter Mia for a ballet show.

She said: "I was happy to do that. Being a mum comes before anything I do in athletics."

Australian Naomi Warner, from Solihull (1hr.18min.33sec), triumphed in the ladies race.

Just under 4,000 finished and an estimated 7.000 spectators lined the course. The charity race raised a record £120,000 for the Sussex Beacon, which provides help and back-up for people with HIV.