BEN Cole can look forward to a successful 2017 if his strong start to the new year is anything to go by.

The Swindon Harrier, from Shaw Ridge, won the Rough ‘N’ Tumble 10 miles multi-terrain race on Sunday, breaking the course record in the process – not to mention leading the Harriers to success in the team competition as well.

That in itself was a fine achievement but Cole revealed that he also raced the day before in the Kent Cross Country Championships – where he was born and bred – held near Brands Hatch motor racing circuit and made the podium for the first time.

“I had always wanted to race the Rough ‘N’ Tumble because I had heard so much about it but it was always on the same weekend at the Kent Championships so I have been hesitant in the past,” said Cole.

“But I decided this year I couldn’t keep putting it off so I decided to do them both. It went really well as I finished third in the Kent Championships, which is the first time I have won an individual medal, and then drove back up to Wiltshire on Sunday morning for the Tumble.”

On Sunday, Cole took charge early on, dropping club-mate and ultra distance running international Nathan Montague, and eventually reached the finish in a time of 1hr 4mins 21secs to slice 12 seconds off Tom Fisher’s 2012 record.

“It is a great course and while it is difficult to put drama into any race, Stephen (Goulding, event organiser) has done just that,” added Cole.

“I am also very grateful to all the marshals out on the course who were in some very remote places as they must have been stood out there for hours.”

Montague, who is more at home over 100k or 100 miles, was runner-up more than five minutes behind, with Chris Maxwell, of Chippenham Harriers, third. Swindon took the team title, with their third scorer being Oliver Webb in 11th.

Also in the race, Old Town-based Stuart Temple, of Slinn Allstars, finished a fine fifth, while Kevin Smith, of Swindon Striders, also made the top 10 in eighth.

Top woman was Cirencester AC’s Holly Tugwell, with Swindon Striders’ Stephanie Knott the runner-up.