THE April showers held off long enough to provide near perfect running conditions for almost 400 runners at the Highworth Five over the weekend.

The course record of 24:44, set in 2000, could not be beaten - with the deceptive climb up Eastrop back into Highworth taking the pace off the top runners - but Adrian Williams from Cirencester AC still had plenty to celebrate as he emerged victorious in a time of 27:35.

An impressive run by Highworth’s very own Gavin Wedlake saw him finish second, 1:10 adrift from the winner, with Bill Leggate, also from Cirencester, a further 16 seconds back in third.

The first lady home was Cirencester’s Wendy Nicholl, who finished just three seconds outside the 30-minute mark. Swindon Harriers’ Kate Jacobs finished a further 33 seconds back in second place in the ladies’ race.

The Supervet category winners were Derek Stevens (Pewsey Vale RC) and Samantha Kelly (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds).

The winning team was Cirencester AC, repeating their 2013 victory with a strong presence from Royal Wootton Basset Hounds.

  • HIGHWORTH Running Club is friendly, family-orientated club catering for runners of all ages and abilities. There are beginner’s sessions at 6pm on Wednesdays from the Vorda Building on Brewery Street, while more experienced runners meet up at 7pm at various locations near Highworth.

There is also the option of Monday track sessions and extended Saturday runs.

For more information visit www.highworthrunningclub.co.uk where there is also a link to the Facebook page.

RESULTS

Top 50: 1, Adrian Williams (Cirencester AC) 27:35; 2, Gavin Wedlake (HRC) 28:45; 3, Bill Leggate (Cirencester AC) 29:01; 4, Simon Fortnam (Cirencester AC) 29:11; 5, Lee Kuklinski (Wiltshire Police) 29:21; 6, Tim Hughes (White Horse Harriers) 29:27; 7, Peter Keen (Swindon Harriers) 29:29; 8, Brian Cooke (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds) 29:33; 9, Tom Purvey (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds) 29:41; 10, Laurence Giffin (Cirencester AC) 29:45; 11, Wendy Nicholls (Cirencester AC) 30:03; 12, Paul Ryan (Swindon Striders) 30:03; 13, Kate Jacobs (Swindon Harriers) 30:36; 14, Matt Lambourne (Running Somewhere Else) 30:42; 15, James Thomas (Running Somewhere Else) 30:46; 16, Simon Karomo 31:20; 17, Simon Bowers (Running Somewhere Else) 31:23; 18, Marcus Corcoran (Swindon Striders) 31:29; 19, Ed O'Dwyer (Swindon Striders) 31:30; 20, Mark Pitcaithly 31:39; 21, Doug Stimson (HRC) 31:45; 22, Derek Stevens (Pewsey Vale RC) 31:49; 23, Russell Young (Running Somewhere Else) 32:08; 24, Les Davies (Cirencester AC) 32:10; 25, Ian Shoemark (Bourton Road Runners) 32:12; 26, (George Dwight HRC) 32:24; 27, Neil Reddaway (IFSAA) 32:27; 28, Andrew Sears (HRC) 32:36; 29, Jason Parr Royal (Wootton Bassett Hounds) 32:46; 30, Martyn Joyce 32:47; 31, Mark Oldridge 33:11; 32, Hoang Van Tran (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds) 33:14; 33, Peter Sweeney (Swindon Striders) 33:17; 34, David Witnall (Running Somewhere Else) 33:19; 35, Chris Bond (Swindon Striders) 33:21; 36, Alan Butler (Swindon Striders) 33:23; 37, James Simpson 33:25; 38, Samantha Kelly (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds) 33:31; 39, Tony Shelbourn (Cirencester AC) 33:33; 40, Jenny Connolly (Swindon Harriers) 33:41; 41, Harry Glenn (Swindon Striders) 33:46; 42, James Bickerstaffe (Swindon Striders) 33:48; 43, Dan Stephens (Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds) 33:51; 44, Craig Brett (Slinn Allstars) 33:59; 45, Mark Malham (34:02); 46, Fiona Collings (Cirencester AC) 34:08; 47, Daniel Finchett (Cirencester AC) 34:08; 48, Stephen Richards 34:12; 49, Kieran Golding (Swindon Harriers) 34:16; 50, Sarah Gunn (Cirencester AC) 34:23.