Cardiff 's Gardiner breaks Chedworth Trail ten-mile record (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cardiff 's Gardiner breaks Chedworth Trail ten-mile record

RICHARD Gardiner, from Cardiff Athletic Club, won Sunday's Chedworth Roman Trail ten-mile race by nearly five minutes, knocking more than a minute off the previous course record.

This was all the more remarkable as the revisions to the course, coupled with muddy conditions, made the race far tougher than in previous years.

The event attracted over 400 entrants who set off from Chedworth Village Hall and, by the time they had passed the first mile and headed on to the disused airfield, Gardiner was starting to pull away.

The infamous crossing of the River Coln was reached just after half-way, but it didn't provide any problem for most, although a couple of fallers were seen.

The return leg featured two climbs up through Chedworth Woods which were very muddy.

This reduced many of the slower runners to a walk and led to many changes of position in the closing stages.

Gardiner romped home in 58 minutes 43 seconds, but there was a close battle for second with Bristol's Michael Roberts just pipping another Welshman, David Williams (Les Croupiers club).

First Gloucestershire finisher was former winner of the race, Michael Davis from Stroud, in fourth place.

Gloucester's Katey Goodhead took the ladies' award ahead of Cirencester's Jane Wassell who won her age category.

Cirencester's first finisher was Bill Leggate in 34th place, demonstrating that his London Marathon preparations are going well, narrowly ahead of Martin Pitts.

Cirencester Athletics Club's finishers were: 34 Bill Leggate 1hr14m37s, 38 Martin Pitts 1.15.21, 40 Jane Wassell 1.15.29, 50 Bob Ferris 1.17.11, 75 Chris Riches 1.20.08, 133 Chris Sherrington 1.26.12.

There were several other local runners taking part who are not members of the club. Notable among these were David McKinnon in 37th and Jon Austin 84th.

Race organiser David Edelsten expresses his thanks to all the local landowners for allowing the race to take place, especially considering the adverse effects that heavy overnight rain had on the course, and his club colleagues who turned out to marshal in the showery and blustery conditions.

Leading results are as follows: Overall: 1 Richard Gardiner (Cardiff AC) 58m43s, 2 Michael Roberts (Bristol AC) 1h03m33s, 3 David Williams (Les Croupiers) 1.03.34, 4 Michael Davis (Stroud AC) 1.04.17, 5 Tom Bradford (Hook Norton Harriers) 1.05.36, 6 Mark Bridges (Leicester Owls) 1.06.50, 7 Franklyn Young-Martos (Newbury AC) 1.07.01, 8 Dave Roper (Tri Team Glos) 1.07.15, 9 Iain Stuart (Bristol AC) 1.07.36, 10 Mark Pattinson (Nailsea RC) 1.07.57.

Ladies: 1 Katey Goodhead (Gloucester AC) 1.14.14, 2 Jane Wassell (Cirencester AC) 1.15.29, 3 Jane Rollands (Ludlow Runners) 1.16.36. Male team: 1 Nailsea, 2 Cheltenham, 3 Gloucester.

Female team: 1 Bourton RR, 2 Forest of Dean, 3 Almost Athletes.