150 RUNNERS lined up on the Broughton Gifford Common for the ninth running of the Foxtrot 5. 
From the start a group of three runners broke away from the rest of the field, Simon Nott of Calne Running Club, Michael Towler of Avon Valley Runners and Josh Dixon of North Somerset AC.
After a couple of miles the Avon Valley Runner had been dropped and as the course passed the ‘Bell on the Common’ public house for the final downhill half mile, Josh Dixon had established a small lead. However defending champion Simon Nott put in a blistering finish to take back the lead and cross the line in a new course record time of 25:21 with Josh Dixon 8-seconds behind.
Michael Towler held on for third place in 26:58 and led his AVR club mates, Joby Hobbs, Thomas Coney and Tim Lowrie to the team prize just ahead of Chippenham Harriers who were led home by 5th placed Gary Dunstone who claimed the 1st MV40 prize. David Vaudin of Team Bath was 1st MV50 and Peter Allen of Corsham Running Club was 1st MV60.
The ladies race also saw a close finish with Denise Grech of Calne SMaRTT and Samantha Kelly of Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds battling around the fast and certified accurate course. With the SMaRTT runner clocking 31:23 to take victory 9-seconds ahead of the ‘Hound’. Fiona Cramp of Bitton Road Runners took third spot in 31:58.
Just off of the podium positions, Edwina Shirazian of Chippenham Harriers led club mates Debbie Jones and Caroline Black to the team prize ahead of Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds. Anita Mellodew from Winsley was the 1st FV40 to finish, Margaret Thompson of Team Bath claimed the 1st FV50 prize and Jane Bishop from Melton Mowbray the 1st FV60. The Foxtrot 5 was also race #9 of the Newsquest sponsored Wiltshire Road Race League and Avon Valley Runners took maximum points once again and now sit 14-points clear of Chippenham Harriers at the top of Division One. Devizes Running Club also took maximum points and are 24-points clear of Frome Running Club at the top of Division Two and look certain for promotion.
The next event in the Wiltshire Road Race League is the Melksham 10K on Sunday 8th September.
Support Local News
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £2 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.
Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation. All donations will be reinvested into producing local journalism for Melksham.
Donate Now
