MORE than 170 people took part in the ninth annual Wickstead Wander last weekend.

With muddy fields, precarious ditches, equine jumps and water features to negotiate, the field, largely in fancy dress leapt, splashed and squelched their way around the 5.3 mile circuit.

With the going good to firm, Avon Valley runner Ed Knudsen crossed the finish line first and broke the course record comfortably as he finisihed in a time of 31 minutes 27 seconds - almost two minutes clear of second-placed Chippenham Harrier Scott Kennedy with Slinn Allstars’ Stuart Temple third.

In the ladies race, Chippenham Harriers narrowly missed out on a clean sweep on the medals as Julia Maddocks took the tape in 42.45, while club-mate Anna Gardiner was second. Corsham Running Club’s Alison Graham finished third ahead of Chippenham’s Sandra Mylchreest.

The Highworth Running Club will donate all profits to the ‘Riding For The Disabled’ charity.