NEARLY 140 competitors descended on Westbury last Sunday to tackle the White Horse Gallop trail run.

This year’s event, which was the third event in the 2016-17 Wiltshire Off-Road Race League – the Roundway Rampage in Devizes was cancelled earlier this month – tested athletes over eight challenging miles.

Competitors were tasked with climbing up through Wellhead Valley and onto the Imber Range boundary path before performing a circuit around the White Horse, which included a thigh-burning climb up the embankment next to the horse itself, before descending back along the Wessex Ridgeway into Westbury.

Making light work of the terrain was Matthew Battensby, from Bristol & West AC, who conquered the course in an impressive 45 minutes and 28 seconds, with Heath Bampton (51:45) of Royal Wootton Basset Hounds and Stuart Temple (52:09) of Swindon's Slinn Allstars running club second and third respectively.

In the Ladies race, Hannah Claydon of Swindon Harriers was victorious in 55:50, finishing ahead of Mary Gaston (58:17) from Bristol & West AC and Jilly Raw (63:09) from Pewsey Vale Running Club.

The team awards both went to Avon Valley Runners, with Mike Rose, Daniel Piper, Gary MacAlister, Kiersty Rose, Fiona Gibbs and Melanie Nichols taking the honours for the Trowbridge-based club.

Other age category winners: MV40 – Ian Luke (Poole Runners); FV40 – Chrissy Smith (Running 4 Time); MV50 – Simon Rawlins (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds); FV50 – Alison Graham (Corsham Running Club); MV60 – Geoff Newton (Tadworth AC); FV60 – Christina Vivian (Avon Valley Runners).

For full results, visit www.stampedesports.co.uk.