IT WAS a Daunstey’s School clean sweep at the third Avon Valley Runners Half Marathon as two old boys came back to teach their former master a lesson.

Allister Sheffield, who is the current geography teacher and assistant house master at the school in West Lavington, had hoped to build upon his comeback which has seen him record five victories and a second in six races.

But he had a surprise when he turned up for the race and spotted George Gurney and Robert Mann on the startline.

“They are both ex-pupils of mine and they always said that one day they would come back and beat me!” said Sheffield.

“George, who comes from Broughton Gifford and was one of five brothers who went to Dauntsey’s, has only really started running recently since going to Loughborough University while Rob was a classmate.

“Needless to say they had the added incentive of beating me and I am nearly twice their age as well.

“Still, it is nice to see them both enjoying running as much as I have always done.”

The trio quickly broke clear of the 310-strong field and stayed together until eight miles when Gurney broke clear for victory. Sheffield chased to consolidate second and dropped Mann, who took third.

“I have definitely made good progress in the last few months,” added 37-year-old Sheffield, who had previously won the Marshfield Mudlark and the Over The Hills 12k events.

  • CAITLIN Wosika, of John of Gaunt School, was 10th in the U16 girls’ age group at the British Modern Biathlon Championships held in Solihull on Sunday.

Wosika completed the 200m swim in 2mins 28.17secs and the 1500m run in 5:10.17 – the second quickest – for a total points score of 2,345. The winner scored 2,529 points (2:16.15/4:57.28).

  • THE 2015 ARC National Road Running Championships for the 10-mile distance will be hosted at the Wiltshire Times-sponsored Wiltshire 10 in Melksham on Sunday, February 15.

The route takes runners around the historic village of Lacock before finishing back alongside the River Avon in the town park, with awards on offer to the leading individual runners and teams. See stampedesports.co.uk for details.

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