TROWBRIDGE runner Gary MacAlister is celebrating the best win of his career.

The 39-year-old member of Avon Valley Runners has been confirmed as the 2017 Wiltshire Road Race League champion after defeating close rival Peter Blake, of Chippenham Harriers, in the 10th and final race of the series, the Calne Clock Challenge 10k, last weekend.

“If Peter had beaten me by three places then he would have been crowned champion but I beat him by one place so ended up five points clear of him,” said MacAlister.

“I have never been in a race like that because it was nothing to do with times and all about racing tactically for a place. I was in front of him for the first kilometre but then from 2k-9k he was ahead.

“But that just meant I had to stick with him and then I overtook him in the last kilometre which was a bit cheeky but was what I had to do.”

The league series, which is sponsored by Newsquest, the Wiltshire Times’ parent company, incorporates 10 races stretching from the Highworth 5 in March to last weekend’s climax in Calne with a runner’s best eight results counting towards the overall results.

MacAlister also enjoyed the satisfaction of leading AVR to the men’s team title for fifth time in six years. Calne Running Club won Division Two title.