CHIPPENHAM Harriers’ Andy Bennetts was delighted with a third-placed finish in his first-ever Rough ‘n’ Tumble on Sunday.

The 10 mile off-road race began at Milton Lilbourne Village Hall, with Bennetts finishing with a time of (1:09:50), behind winner Barry Stoddart (1:04.53) and claiming the vet 40 prize.

“I turned 40 last February so I’ve just been trying to get as fit as I can in my first year as an over 40 vet because I want to do well in my category,” said Bennetts, who lives in Melksham and works as a production manager at engineering company ATI Stellram.

“It’s quite an arduous race and my first since Christmas, so I was burning off the Christmas pudding.

“I’d done races like the Slaughterford 9 and the (Pewsey) Terminator before and I really enjoyed it.”

Hilperton’s Tom Fisher, who races for Avon Valley Runners, came second in front of Bennetts and the 30 year-old wasn’t too downhearted about missing out on the top prize.

“It’s a shame to get beaten. He (Stoddart) is quite a good runner and he only beat me by three seconds,” said Fisher.

“We both broke the course record and it was just good that I stayed with him the whole way.”

The finishes of Bennetts, Bart Thomas (1:10:43) and Chris Maxwell (1:11:19) enough for Chippenham Harriers to take the men’s team award.

Richard Schofield (1:14:37) also picked up the Men’s Vet 50 prize.

More than 20 Harriers competed, the first lady back being Debbie Jones (1:26:32), followed by Mandy Thorpe (1:39:09), Claire Charlton (1:48:40), Helen Bovill (1:53:50), Kirsty Murphy and Liz Laird.

Paul Byrne (1:53:27) knocked a massive 33.42 minutes of his course personal best set in 2009 for the performace of the day.

A record-breaking 600 runners took part in the race