Faster than a pub crawl (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Faster than a pub crawl

8:52am Tuesday 27th May 2008 in Swindon By Ben Perrin

STRONG winds and heavy rain did not stop 32 intrepid runners getting the drinks in for the 51st Wanborough Beer Race.

Village residents turned out in force to cheer on the competitors yesterday.

They were challenged to drink half pints at six pubs during the 2.5 mile course.

This year saw runners begin at the Brewers Arms.

Then they ran to the Cross Keys, the Calley Arms, the Black Horse and The Plough, The Harrow Inn before finally reaching the finishing line back at the Brewers in the High Street.

The route is always anti-clockwise, so the runners can run down Callas Hill, the steepest section of the dash.

Rob Hunt was the overall winner, clocking and swilling in with a time of 15 minutes and 39 seconds.

This was despite losing one of his trainers halfway round the course in mud off Green Lane. The 20-year-old Wanborough lad came second last year and was determined to come out on top.

"This was my first win and it feels great to have done it," said Rob.

"My foot feels quite painful now. But to have won is worth the pain.

"I think the weather helped me. When it's hot it zaps your energy.

"If you can imagine the film Alien when it's waiting to come out, then that's how the beer feels inside you."

Mike Kent, 39, has won the popular event 10 times - the last being in 2006.

The second placed runner from Wanborough said: "It's like an assault course with the ponds and the hill but I got through it."

Third place went to Alex Golding, who was defending his crown from last year.

He was disappointed not to retain his title.

"It seemed harder this year," he said. "Although it's a short run it still kills you."

Elaine Widdowson, 41, who works at The Plough, was the best-placed woman in 17th position, with a time of 22 minutes and 56 seconds.

"I came tenth last year so I didn't do as well but it was still just as fun," she said.

Others took it a little less seriously.

Dave Smith, 28, and James Hobbs, 30, dressed up as Little Britain characters Andy and Lou.

And father-of-three Paul Tuck from Wanborough, ran in a green thong reminiscent of Sasha Baron Cohen's character Borat.

"It felt all right," said the 39-year-old.

"I was expecting to be violently ill but somehow I was fine.

"I raised £200 for the National Autistic Society."