San Domenico 20m

Well today was the big day, the final (of three) 20 mile races in the month of March for me. For the first time I actually felt good as I headed to the start line, having had a cold for the Gloucester 20m and a bout of food poisoning before the Rhayader Round the Lakes. "Team Blonde" made their competitive debut in an event and at one point, there was a wall of Westbury Harriers covering the entirety of the Taff Trail!

The race itself was won by Cardiff's Richie Gardiner who broke the course record to win in a time of 1.52.58. The unattached Stuart Leaney (someone should snatch him up!) was runner up in 1.57.36, with the home club's Stephen Paterson 3rd in 1.58.00. Dave Coales for Team Bath was the top local athlete clocking a time of 2 hours on the dot for 5th place, with Yeovil's Paul Rose 8th in  2.06.18, whilst Peter Royle of Great Western Runners was 10th in 2.09.25.

The ladies race was won by Westbury Harriers Emma D'Alton, who continued her fine recent form to clock a time of 2.16.37 (which I believe going by powerof10 to be a PB!). Gemma Jones of Lliswerry was runner up in 2.18.18 and the unattached Laura Hale was 3rd in 2.23.53.

For Westbury Harriers men, Matt Ellis was the top competitor, finishing 13th in a time 2.11.04, with John Terry close behind, 15th in 2.11.33. Colin Johnson had a cracking run to finish 32nd in 2.17.47 (a new PB), with Tim Synge 58th in 2.26.57 (also a PB!). We also had two other ladies out on the course: Laura Tanna was 183rd in 2.58.28 and Jane Thornton 230th in 3.13.14.

Top competitors for other local clubs: Robert Hicks of TACH finished 18th in 2.12.51 and Dan Phillips of Clevedon 21st in 2.14.22.

Results are available here.

All in all a good race, although I'm not sure whose bright idea it was to change the course so that it now incorporates a stiff climb with approximately 60 steps at 13 miles! The course could also do with a marshall to point the right way after the underpass at around 16 miles, as a few runners went a bit astray at that point!