Triumphant Thompson '˜turns tables' on Vernon in Great South Run

Thompson became the first British man since Mo Farah in 2009 to win the world’s premier 10-mile race.

And after ending a seven-year wait for a homegrown winner, the 31-year-old told of his joy at reversing last weekend’s Great Birmingham Run - where he finished runner-up to Fareham’s Vernon.

The latter had began today’s race as the man to beat, following his impressive Second-City showing over a half-marathon distance.

But it was Aldershot, Farnham & District team-mate Thompson who claimed victory in a time of 47min23, some 46 seconds ahead of Vernon.

Fellow Brit Matt Sharp came in third place In 48.18.

‘It meant a huge amount to win - the way I celebrated showed as much,’ said Thompson to Channel 5.

‘You have to work extremely hard for this, to come to a result like that in front of all of the people was a great buzz.

‘It makes all of the training worthwhile – this will keep me going for a good few months now.

‘Andy beat me last weekend so it was nice to turn the tables on him today.

‘Now I am going to rest up!’