AVON Valley Runners has been named as the England Athletic Club of the Year for the South West region.

The Trowbridge-based club is run purely by volunteers and has enjoyed a string of successes, including the inception of their 12-week beginners’ programs.

Since their inception more than 600 people have started running and many are now club members, while more competitive runners are also well catered for with speed sessions both in Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon, several club members being selected for Wiltshire teams at various events around the country.

Avon Valley also organise a range of member-only and open events, including the 33-mile ultra-marathon around the Imber Trail, the popular off-road Over the Hills from Bradford on Avon with a river crossing at the Iford Manor and the Wiltshire Half marathon.

A fun off road five kilometre event in Steeple Ashton has also been added this year.

While the senior running section has just won the Wiltshire Road Race league, the junior side of the club organise a free two kilometre event on the last Saturday of every month at Southwick Country Park, with the Avon Valley Triathletes section of the club also catering for multi-sport participants.

The club also hope to complete their project to build an all-weather track at its Trowbridge Rugby Club base this year.

For more information about the club see avonvalleyrunners.org.uk.