RUTH Barnes admitted she ran ‘scared’ as she flew the Wiltshire flag proudly in the Frome 10k road race on Sunday, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The event was the latest in the South West Inter Counties Rod Race Championships and when the Avon Valley Runners’ athlete from Bradford on Avon stood on the start line she knew it was going to be a tough race.

“There was a very strong Devon team and they had a lot of strength in depths in terms of numbers,” said Barnes.

“It was pretty intimidating and I was a little worried. So I thought I had better go off with a lot of intention and gusto and could not afford to just ramble around even though it was a very hot and sticky morning.”

The presence of the Devon runners certainly made the race more competitive than a normal Wiltshire event so Barnes had to work hard the whole race to ensure her victory.

That certainly helped spur her to record the second fastest time of her career with her winning mark of 35mins 31secs inferior only to her lifetime best of 34:47 which she set earlier this year in the super fast Bristol 10k.

“The Frome 10 course is so hilly that I thought I would be lucky to run 37 minutes so to get 35:31 is very pleasing and I am happy with that,” added Barnes.

“I have been doing a lot of speed work with my coach (Steve Williams) and the other week ran a personal best of 16mins 41secs in the Heddington 5k (organised by Calne Running Club) which I believe is a Wiltshire record.”

Further records look likely for Barnes in the autumn as she has secured invites to take part in the Great North Run (in September) and the Great South Run 10 miles event in Portsmouth, in October, both of which are among the premier road race events in the country held on very quick courses.

“I will be running the Sturminster Newton half marathon before then which is the final event in the South West Inter Counties Road Race Championships and will be good training for the Great North Run,” said Banes.

“I have never done the Great North before and I am really looking forward to it.”

Lining up with some of the best road runners in the world might sound like a scary prospect but for Barnes it will be another chance to impress.