Organisers overwhelmed by Barbury turnout (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Organisers overwhelmed by Barbury turnout

4:43pm Friday 25th July 2008

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A total of 181 runners turned up for the fourth running of the Barbury castle Track 'n' Trail 5 on Wednesday.

The evening sunshine encouraged a record number to enter on the evening somewhat overwhelming the organisers, Steve and Julie Goulding who were delighted with the turnout.

The runners lined up at the foot of the road leading up to the car park which is a 600 metre ascent for which there is a prize to the first man & woman to the top - known as King & Queen of the Hill.

This year saw a tough battle for the title between Swindon Striders Lee Evans and , Tim Osman who eventually admitted defeat as the lactic acid in his legs got the better of him. This years King and Queen of the Hill were Lee Evans and Natalie Burke from Team Bath AC who eventually went on to win the women's race convincingly.

The men's race saw Gary O'Brien from Swindon Harriers fighting a battle with Veteran Swindon Strider, Chris Sykes who has battled with injuries over the last few years but now seems to be finding his form again.

Gary eventually shook off Chris and pulled away in the last mile, winning the race in a time of 30.20 just outside the course record.

The Honour for the top veteran 40 category was the closest fought battle of the evening with Swindon Harriers Heath Bampton and Michael Tune going head to head to the finish with Heath winning with only 8 secs separating the two.

Local veteran runners stole the show with Veteran 50 Chris Sykes, taking second overall and claiming a new record for the category and Veteran 60, Ted Townsend from Marlborough RC breaking his own course record.

The pre race chat was who would win the team prizes of the evening with both Swindon Harriers and Striders fielding large teams. The honours were shared with the Harriers taking the Men's team title and the Striders clinching the Ladies team.

Race organisers Julie & Stephen Goulding were so pleased with the turn out that they plan to organise another event at Barbury later this year which will be even more of a challenge!

The evening was rounded off with the prize presentation at the Barbury Castle Cafe which was well supported with everyone agreeing that the race was a great success.

Roll of honour: 1st Male - Gary O'Brien- Swindon Harriers 30.20 2nd Male - Chris Sykes - Swindon Striders 31.20 3rd Male - Andrew Ind- Marlborough RC 32.23 1st Female - Natalie Burke- Team Bath AC 36.25 2nd Female - Dominique Oughton - 38.23 3rd Female - Nicola Fleming - Pewsey Vale RC 39.27 Male Vet 40 - Heath Bampton- Swindon Harrier 33.14 Male Vet 50 - Chris Sykes - Swindon Striders 31.20 Male Vet 60 - Ted Townsend - Marlborough RC- 38.50 Female Vet 35 - Claire Smith - Wiltshire Police - 39.32 Female Vet 45 - Carole Philips - Swindon Striders - 40.51 Female Vet 55 - Hilary O'Shea - Abingdon Amblers 46.27 King of the Hill - Lee Evans - Swindon Striders Queen of the Hill - Natalie Burke- Team Bath AC Swindon Harriers took the 1st male team prize and Swindon Striders won the Ladies Team award.

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