Cirencester runner's UK race triumph (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester runner's UK race triumph

CIRENCESTER Athletics Club's Wendy Jones ran outstandingly to finish sixth in UK Athletics' Cross Challenge Series 6K senior women's race at Cardiff.

This marked her breakthrough into UK athletics' top echelon.

Every runner ahead of her was an international.

They included winner and European Junior 5000m champion, Emily Pidgeon.

English National Cross Country Bronze medallist, Hattie Dean, was second.

At the event, Great Britain and Northern Ireland team selectors chose runners for the World Cross Country Championships, to held in Fukuoka, Japan in April.

Wendy was also first female veteran home in a time of 20:29.

Nine Cirencester runners competed in Highworth's invitational team half-marathon, including new member, Tom Gillett.

The course features long, tough and exposed hills on the return route, leaving all runners exhausted.

Jones completed a successful weekend, finishing seventh as first lady and recording her first sub-80 time.

Mark Gluning dipped under 90 minutes and Terry Ranger finished strongly to convert his 36.33 at five miles to 1.36.33.

Kim Withycombe out-sprinted race-partner, Carol Clarke.

Results: UK Cross Challenge Cardiff: 1 Emily Pidgeon (Gloucester) 19.46, 2 Hatti Dean (Hallamshire) 19.54, 3 Kate Ramsey (Charnwood) 20.09, 6 Wendy Jones (Cirencester) 20.29. Highworth Half Marathon: 1 George Hide (Highworth) 1.13.36, 7 Wendy Jones (1st lady) 1.19.18, 30 Mark Gluning 1.29.15, 62 Terry Ranger 1.36.33, 69 Chris Brough 1.38.08, 70 Duncan Atkinson 1.38.11, 88 Kim Withycombe 1.44.49, 89 Carol Clarke 1.44.50, 92 Sue Brown 1.50.00, 108 Tom Gillett 2.01.06. 112 finished. Teams: 1 Handy Cross 95pts, 8 Cirencester 238pts.