A RELATIVELY dry and mild day welcomed nearly 500 runners, including 40 Cirencester AC athletes, to the Bourton 10k, an important flat, fast, early-season event.

Cirencester AC and Triathlon club

Bourton 10km, road race

Fierce competition came from across the South and the Midlands but the high CAC turn-out ensured good results across all age groups.

Chris Illman set the pace and was leading at 6km but was passed by Oliver Mott (Bristol and West AC). Chris then battled to hold off club-mate Dave Bell in a close finish for second place. Chris finished in 32.41, just 20 seconds behind the winner and only two seconds ahead of Dave Bell.

Adrian Williams (34.35), training for a major triathlon later this year, was third home for Ciren in 20th and 17-year-old Matt Crew (35.36) was 32nd and fourth MU18. Tony Shelbourn (41.38) was back in 155th place and was second MV65.

Wendy Nicholls (37.47) is back into triathlon training and was 61st overall, third lady and first FV40. Another ranked triathlete, Sarah Gunn (42.41), had a strong early-season run to finish 174th and first FV45 with Fi Collings just 11 seconds behind picking up the second FV45 spot.

Liza Darroch (53.06) was 397th and ran with determination at this shorter distance to come first FV65, while the consistent Ruth Fulford (56.35) was 434th and took second FV65.

After a winter of hard training there were PBs throughout the field and some exceptional and encouraging times for the upcoming road race season.

Too many athletes to mention individually but they should all be recognised for their commitment to making this a record and successful turn-out for the club.

The Terminator, Pewsey, 12 miles cross-country

COLIN TAPLEY was the sole CAC entrant, describing the aptly-named race as 'wet, muddy, windy and hilly' with four of those hills forcing most runners to walk.

Nonetheless Colin (1:49.07) finished a commendable 84th out of 439. The winner was Andrew Fisher in 1:26.12.

Heart Breaker Marathon, New Forest, 26.2 miles, roads

CIREN’S Martin Croucher said that the starter walked the 165 runners down a quarter-mile hill, turned them round and said 'Off you go'. The hills continued for the next 26 miles! Martin was 44th in 3:59.54. Steve Way (Bournemouth AC) won in 2:39.10 and 165 finished.