WILTSHIRE achieved a double victory at the South West inter-counties half marathon championships at Sturminster Newton in Dorset, taking both the men’s and women’s titles ahead of Devon.
Leading the race home in 73 minutes and 29 seconds was Rob Mann, from Salisbury, running for Exeter Harriers, wearing his green and white Wiltshire vest.
The Avon Valley Runners pair of Chris Roxburgh and Rich Ayling took third and fourth respectively.
In sixth, Gary O’Brien, of Swindon Harriers, claimed the first male veteran over 40 prize whilst in seventh, Mike Rose, of Avon Valley, and 31st-placed Steven Underwood, from Salisbury, completed the victorious Wiltshire team in the men’s race.
In the women’s race, Wiltshire were led home by Avon Valley’s Ruth Barnes, whose time of 81:57 saw her take 12th overall and be second-fastest lady overall.
Supported by Eilidah Bell of Chippenham Harriers, who was 38th, 48th-place Hannah Claydon of Swindon Harriers, 52nd-placed Cordula Hurcum, of Chippenham Harriers, and the Avon Valley pair of Jackie Rockliffe and Diane Hier, Wiltshire’s ladies finished top of the pile.
The race was the conclusion of the South West inter-counties road-running championships, which were relaunched this year by England Athletics.
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