Large turnout for Melksham’s first 10k run

Nearly 200 runners lined up in Lowbourne Road for the inaugural Melksham 10K run, which promised a flat, fast and certified accurate two lap course around the town. 

Leading from the start county 10K champion, Simon Nott of Calne Running Club set off at a blistering pace to win in a new personal best time of 31-minutes 30-seconds – the second fastest time recorded by a Wiltshire athlete this year over the distance.

Two minutes later, Michael Towler of Avon Valley Runners crossed the line in the runners-up position just ahead of George Frost from Team Bath in third.  In the ladies’ race another county 10K champion took the honours with Ruth Barnes of Avon Valley Runners recording a personal best time of 36:15 and just missing out by one second on a club record.

Club-mate Fiona Price took second place with Tracey Horton of Southville Running Club completing the podium positions. In eighth place overall Gary Dunstone of Chippenham Harriers claimed the 1st MV40 prize with Jackie Rockliffe of Avon Valley Runners finishing as the 1st FV40.

The 1st MV50 went to Gary Eagle of Frome Running Club with club mate Anthony Sprules finishing as 1st MV60. Janet Brown of Bitton Road Runners was the 1st FV50 to finish and Rosemary Barber of Avon Valley Runners the 1st FV60.

All finishers received a commemorative medal. The race which was organised by Stampede Sports served as race #10 in the Newsquest sponsored Wiltshire Road Race League and with the high scores achieved by Avon Valley Runners, meant that the club which trains on a Wednesday evening at Christie Miller Sports Centre, retained their League title with two races still to run.

The next race in the Wiltshire Road Race League is the Malmesbury Half Marathon on Sunday 22nd September.