ALTHOUGH only a small number of Cirencester AC runners were competing last weekend the club had many successes to celebrate.

Following Rob Forbes’ emphatic marathon win at Broadway the previous week, it was Dave Bell’s turn to taste victory.

At the Castle Combe 10k he overcame the cold conditions and a stiff challenge in the first half of the three lap course to cross the line a clear winner in 32.51.

New member Joyce Matthews was second in her age group in a time of 48.40 and Barbara Thomas finished her second race of the weekend in 53.02 with both finishing inside the top half of the field.

In the accompanying duathlon event at the Wiltshire race circuit Mark Sysum finished 33rd in a time of 50.57 for the two mile run, ten mile bike leg followed by another two mile run.

Less than a minute behind Mark was Wendy Nicholls, the second lady across the finish line, while Lisa Carpenter was the final Cirencester finisher with a time of 1.12.24.

David Edelsten was the sole Cirencester runner at the Swindon 10k run over a two lap course at Wroughton.

In what may be Dave’s final 10k race, he was happy to finish third MV70 in a time of 65.50.

There were only three runners from the club at Swindon’s Lydiard Park for the 5k Parkrun.

First home in 18th place was Lonel Lancu in a time of 21.01, followed by Dave Moss in 23.48 and Barbara Thomas, who was first in her age category in 26.57.