SWINDON Harriers newcomer Lizzie Rayner is celebrating her first county title this week.

The 20-year-old from Malmesbury, who only joined the club last summer working with coach Neil England, surprised even herself with her performance in the Highworth 5 miles road race on Sunday.

Rayner actually finished runner-up in the race to Molly Browne from the Birmingham Running, Athletics & Triathlon Club (BRAT) but took the gold as the first runner from Wiltshire.

“I did a few county schools’ cross country races and I think my best result was fifth so this is my first county title,” said Rayner.

“To be honest Sunday was a real shock to me. A recent knee injury had hampered my training and I was also ill so my training has been really inconsistent.

“I wasn’t even going to bother to race but thought I should give it a go and I am obviously fitter than I thought. But when I crossed the finish line I turned to my grandma and said: ‘What happened there?!’”

What happened was a personal best time of 31mins 18secs and proof that Rayner is indeed fitter than she thought, probably due to all the hard training over several months as she has focused her attention on triathlons.

As a former swimmer with Malmesbury Marlins Swim Club and then a convert to cycling the decision to have a go at triathlons seemed a logical one for Rayner, especially after signing up for a degree in Sports Rehabilitation at St Mary’s University in west London, which has a strong sports department.

“I decided at around Christmas time last year that triathlons will by my sport and I had a couple of good results last year winning the Cricklade triathlon and finishing fifth in the Cotswold elite event,” added Rayner.

“My big target this year will be the European Triathlon Age Group Championships in Glasgow in August and I will also tackle the British Championships and the British Super Series.”

Racing for the Harriers will be a key part of her preparations for the triathlon and Rayner is keen to do as many events in the Wiltshire Road Race league as possible.

It was the 33rd running of the Highworth Running Club race, which also formed the Wiltshire 5 Mile Championships and also counted as one of the Wiltshire Road Race League races.

A breakaway group had formed by the halfway mark and in the latter stages Calne Running Club’s Simon Nott and Avon Valley Runners' Michael Towler broke away with Nott stopping the clock in 26:04 minutes, 23 seconds ahead of Towler who was 13 seconds ahead of fellow Avon Valley Runner Max Davis.

In the team stakes it was no surprise that Avon Valley Runners were the first club to have three runners home.

In the race for age grade spoils, Avon Valley Runners Damian Spreckley was first veteran 40 home in 27:39, club mate Andy Stanley taking the veteran 50 title and Cirencester Athletic Club’s David Wright the veteran 60 men’s title.

With 33:42, Emma Hines won the ladies veteran 35 category representing Chippenham Harriers. Calne Running Club’s Denise Nott took the veteran 45 title and Cirencester Athletics Club’s Kate Sacket went home with the veteran 55 trophy.