Race director Robbins declares Easy Runner Sodbury Slog a success

The new-look Easy Runner Sodbury Slog has been pronounced a huge success.

Race director Gordon Robbins, who had feared for the future of Bristol's biggest multi-terrain race after problems with the original route, said the revised course was well received by the 1,035 runners who completed the nine miles across Sodbury Common and surrounding countryside.

"The race went really well, everyone got around safely and the new course proved to be very popular," said Robbins.

"The feedback I got from runners afterwards was that they enjoyed the new course and thought it was OK. I was really chuffed to hear that after all the problems we have had.

"It is a lot of hard work, but when you see that it works, that we had a record number of finishers and everyone had a good time, it is worth it.

"Also so many runners said to me 'keep the race going Gordon' which was nice, so I can say now that we will be back in 2010 with the new course."

As for the sharp end of the race, overall victory went to Bristol and District Triathlon Club's Matthew Norman, in 55mins 44secs, while Bristol University's Sarah Wigmore was top woman in 59:20.

Westbury Harriers' Robyn Edwards was handed second spot, although she and Bristol University student Imogen Ainsworth were both given the same time.

Bristol University has traditionally had a large turn-out at the event and they were rewarded by winning both team titles.

Westbury Harriers were also out in force and their five-strong women's squad of Edwards, defending champion Debbie Marsden, Sophie Voller, Kim Ingleby and Sarah Tucker claimed second place.

"Sadly no win for me this time, as I fell over lots, but it was good fun," said Marsden.

Westbury's men replicated that achievement. Despite not having a runner in the top 10, the five members of the team all finished within eight places of each other with Anthony Glover 17th, Rich Collinson 18th, Ewan Kilgour 19th, John Terry 22nd and Terry Jewell-Davies 25th.

Sodbury Slog results– men: 1 Matt Newman (BAD Tri) 55:14; 2 David Green (Bris Uni) 55:44; 3 Phil Lucker (B&W) 57:14; 4 Laurence Humphreys (Fairwater) 57:16; 5 Chris Dodd (Bris Uni) 57:17; 6 Chris Maxwell (unatt) 57:27; 7 Rob Atkin (Bris Uni OB) 57:41; 8 Stephen Old (unatt) 58:52; 9 Ben Lang (TBAC) 58;55; 10 Steve Francis (BU) 59:08; 11 William Gray (HT, M40) 59:23; 12 Patrick Foley (PRC, M40) 59:25; 13 Phil Huxley (Oxford, M50) 59:46; 14 Sarah Wigmore (BU, W) 59:50; 15 Paul Dodd (Chipp, M50) 59:55; 16 Peter Northall (BU) 60:13; 17 Anthony Glover (WH) 60:13; 18 Rich Collinson (WH) 60:24; 19 Ewan Kilgour (WH, M40) 60:27; 20 Jonathan Norman (unatt) 60:33. Women: 1 Wigmore; 2 Robyn Golding (WH) 62:18; 3 Imogen Ainsworth (BU) 62:18; 4 Erica Golland (BU) 63:46; 5 Bela Ryle (BU) 65:05; 6 Debbie Marsden (WH) 65:16; 7 Nikki Weaterley (AA) 65:26; 8 Vicky Plume (BUOB) 66:40; 9 Sophie Voller (WH) 66:56; 10 Angie Sadler (Tewkesbury, W50) 67:32. W35: 1 Frances Bond; 2 Meriel Rosser; 3 Debbie Hobbs. 1035 finishers. Local: 22 John Terry (WH) 60;40; 25 terry Jewell-Davies (WH, M40) 61:14; 28 Andy White (BU) 61:29; 29 Keith Sawyer (BRR, M50) 61:44; 30 Dave Beddowns (BUOB) 61:44; 31 Nick Young (BUOB) 61;47; 34 Mark Searle (BRR, M40) 61:58; 39 David Waters (BRR) 62:26; 45 Peter Willoughby (HT, M60 1st) 63:;48; 47 Matt Birch (BUOB) 64:02; 48 Arwel Roberts (BRR) 64:09.

Debbie Marsden warmed up for her Slog title defence by winning the Royal Victoria Park four-miles road race, in Bath, on Saturday morning, clocking a time of 23mins 40secs.

Cardiff AC runner Michael Johnson, who lives in Long Ashton, defeated former champions Martin Cox and Clevedon's James Thie for victory in the men's race.

Bristol & West AC's Mick O'Doherty was fifth and first veteran.

Ben Morley improved his personal best again to win the Cheddar half-marathon at the weekend. The 25-year-old member of Great Western Runners, who lives in Redland, led from gun to tape to win by more than a minute in a time of 73mins 26secs, to slice 14 seconds off his time for the Bristol event.

Another GWR winner was Dave Wintle, who picked up the veterans Over-50s' prize, while in the women's race Aileen Brown finished third behind Jenny Moore and Lucy Cartwright.

From Bitton Road Runners Martin Stalley was 24th of the 271 finishers while Clevedon AC's Maria Powell finished 61st.

The second Gwent Cross-country League fixture, at Bath University, saw a powerful turn-out from Bristol & West AC's senior women as they packed six runners into the top 10.

"It was an impressive show of strength from our women," said team boss Mike Down.

International Claire Hallissey led the way in second, while Rebekah Randell was third just ahead of junior Eleanor Wimshurst who had a cracking run to finish fourth.

In the senior men's race Tom Russell was runner-up, with Steve Mitchell and Richard Peters also in the top 10.

Of the young athletes, Luke Jacobs' third place caught the eye with Olivia Sadler seventh in the joint Under-20/17 women's race.

Westbury Harriers novice Ellie Leather continued her excellent start to the season with an impressive victory in the Under-11s' race. She was backed up by Alana Sherman (11th) on her debut, Fenella Ford (18th) and Georgia Taylor (19th).

Poppy Thompson ran her best race for some time to finish third in the Under 13 girls' race.

Floren Scrafton was fourth in the combined Under-20/17 women's race and Joe Dalgleish matched that in the men's event.