FORMER British marathon international runner Holly Rush has switched allegiance to Wiltshire club Avon Valley Runners.

Rush, who lives in Bradford on Avon, had been a member of Team Bath AC for several years but said she was delighted to be moving to the growing AVR outfit.

“I became a bit disillusioned with Team Bath, even though I have lots of friends there,” said Rush.

“I know quite a few of the women at AVR and they are a really friendly group.

“They also have a strong women’s team, in particular in the veterans section with runners like Fiona Price, Ruth Barnes and Jackie Rockliffe. It will be great to race with them.”

Rush hasn’t had the opportunity to pull on the AVR vest so far as she has yet to race in 2016 and an intended outing in the Manchester Marathon had to be cancelled.

But Rush, who has made a successful step up to long-distance trail races, says she is getting back into shape after an horrendous 2015, during which she was bedevilled by illness and injury, and is mapping out some big events in the months ahead.

“I am flying to Nepal in a few weeks but just training and to do some media work,” added Rush.

“My first big race will be the South Downs Way in May, followed by the Lavardo 120k race in the Italian Dolomites. That will be the longest race I have ever done and will be good preparation for the CCC Mt Blanc 100k race at the end of August.

“I may also try and fit in a marathon in the autumn.”

It is unlikely that any of her new AVR team-mates will be joining Rush for the ultra distance challenges but they may get together for some shorter events over the summer.