RUNNERS jumped over horse hurdles in a race with a difference yesterday.

About 85 participants took part in the Wickstead Wander cross-country course, in Highworth and, in the process, raised £1,000 for the Riding for the Disabled Association.

The race saw entrants jumping over a dozen 2ft to 4ft high horse hurdles, splash into ponds and squelch though muddy bogs in fields near Warneford School.

Some took the opportunity to don fancy dress, while others took the five-mile race more seriously.

The winner was Gary O’Brien, 38, of Old Town, who finished the run in 34 minutes.

He said: “It was great fun. If I hadn’t done a curtsey at the end I would have finished in under 34 minutes.”

Richard Pye, 38, who travelled from Northampton to be part of the day, decided to dress up as a woman.

“It was nice to have some hair for a change in the form of ponytails,” he said.

“I really enjoyed the course. The jumps were an exciting challenge.”

Adam Harborow, 33, from Cirencester, claimed third position.

He joked: “You had to go slow over the cow slurry. I haven’t run a race like this before.”

Swindon Striders runner Ann Lonie was the first woman over the line – finishing 14th overall.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Ann, from Longcot. “There’s a nice mix of people running. The horse jumps are a unique feature. It was great.”

The event was organised by Highworth Running Club, which celebrates is silver anniversary on December 1.

Its treasurer Peter O’Brien said: “It’s a great scenic course and something a bit different with jumps and water splashes.

“All the profits will go to the RDA.

“We’ve been very lucky with the weather. Had it been the day before it could have been very interesting.”

This was the first event of its kind in Highworth and organisers said they could look to make it an annual fixture.

RDA is a UK charity which takes thousands of disabled people horse riding, carriage driving and gets them involved in vaulting activities.

For more information visit the website, which can be found at www.rda.org.uk.

Also log on to www.

highworthrunningclub.co.uk.