FORMER England 20k road champion Dan Studley caused a stir when he turned up to make a stunning debut in the seventh running of the Wiltshire Times-sponsored Wiltshire 10 – and post the fastest time in Britain so far in 2017.

The Bristol & West AC England international opted for the event in Melksham after returning from a two-week training camp in Portugal just the previous day.

Such was the seriousness with which Studley treated his first attempt at the distance that he recced the course on Saturday so knew exactly what to expect when he blasted clear from the gun to win by almost three minutes in a sizzling course record time of 49mins 34secs.

“I am really pleased with that,” said Dan.

“Since Christmas I have been building up towards making my debut over the half marathon so this race was a good step towards that.

“I had never raced further than 10k before so this was a chance to t into practice what I have been doing in training.

“I set myself a target of running five-minute miling for the first seven miles and then open up and finish as hard as I could. I felt strong and controlled and that is very encouraging.”

Studley also praised the organisation of the event which he hopes will be a stepping stone towards a very fast half marathon in the prestigious Hague event, in Holland, next month.

“The guys on the bikes who were riding ahead of me at the front were different class and made sure the roads were kept clear ahead of me,” added Studley.

“They did a fantastic job and were very helpful. It is also a decent course. It is not totally flat as it is undulating and the final stretch to the finish could be a bit slippy but I really enjoyed it and it was a great way for me to open up 2017.”

Top woman was recently crowned South West Inter Counties champion Ruth Barnes.

The Bradford-on-Avon based Avon Valley Runners’ member finished ninth overall in a personal best time of 56mins 44secs.

“I am so pleased with that time as I didn’t think I would be anywhere near it today,” said Barnes.

“I have had a rubbish few weeks of training since winning the South West title and felt I was going off the boil. But it was great to come to a local race again and meet up with my clubmates.”

She was seven minutes ahead of second-placed Sarah Baxter, of Team Bath AC, and third-placed Elizabeth Smith, of Bristol’s Westbury Harriers. With Ruth Barnes leading the way Avon Valley Runners took the ladies team title with Jo Mumford and Diane Hier joining her on the podium.

All finishers received a specially minted medal featuring the Wiltshire county flag and a copy of the Wiltshire Times.

The next event from Stampede Sports is the Trowbridge Colourific 5K on Sunday, May 7, which will feature as race two in the Wiltshire Road Race League.

Other prize winners - first MV40: Anthony Glover (Westbury Harriers); first MV50: Mike Dooley (Team Bath AC); first FV40: Geri Taylor (Swindon); first FV50: Diane Hier (Avon Valley Runners).

Online results at stampedesports.co.uk