A TOTAL of 32 teams started the third running of the Wiltshire Road Relays at the Castle Combe motor racing circuit on Sunday.

The event, which saw each team’s three runners tackle two laps each of just under three kilometres, was organised by Wiltshire Athletic Association and was sponsored by DB Max and Stampede Sports.

In the senior race, Avon Valley Runners’ Kyle Hackett set off at a blistering pace to record the fastest leg of the day in 19 minutes and six seconds for the six kilometres.

He handed over to Pete Veleski with a lead of more than 600metres, Veleski in turn passing passed the baton onto Michael Towler.

Towler had an untroubled run to secure victory for Avon Valley Runners with a lead of more than six minutes from second-placed Chippenham Harriers (Neil Perry Jeremy Coward and Stuart Dinwoodie).

A fast finishing City of Salisbury A&RC team came in third.

The ladies’ race was not so clear-cut with Swindon Harriers, Avon Valley Runners, City of Salisbury A&RC and Chippenham Harriers all in close contention.

On the final leg, Kate Jacobs, of Swindon Harriers, stormed away with the fastest leg of the day in 22 minutes flat to lead her clubmates Lillie Bellamy and Lucy Doughty to victory.

Avon Valley Runners’ female vets (Fiona Price Diane Hier and Jackie Rockliffe) were second, more than three minutes behind.

The junior teams each tackled three legs of three kilometres and the competition was fierce.

Finn Ross, of Avon Valley Runners, recorded the fastest leg of the day with an impressive ten minutes and 12 seconds.

However, it was Corsham Running Club who claimed victory, with their team of Elen Lyndsey, James Johnston and Kirsty Stanley taking the honours with a total time of 34:44.

Full Wiltshire Road Relays results at dbmax.co.uk

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