JOHN Bentley School’s Simon Nott marked his comeback from illness by taking the top prize at Sunday’s SMarTT Smasher 10k in Calne.

The 17-year-old was first home in 34 minutes and 22 seconds at the memorial off-road race, which follows the training route of 19th-century Calne runner Walter George.

Nott, of Horsebrook Park, was over a minute and 20 seconds faster than Guy Watts (35:45) after suffering from a virus at the start of the year.

“It was a comeback race for me because I got rushed to hospital on New Year’s Eve with flu and a stomach bug,” said Nott, who retained the senior men’s title.

“I still had a cold on the weekend but it was good – you’ve got to be happy with 34 minutes in any 10k race.

“It was my first race in about three months and I missed the South West Cross Country championships, so I guess the next big local race I’ll be aiming for is the Corsham 10k in May.”

Sunday’s race was organised by St Mary’s Running and Tri Team (SMarTT) and helped raise around £1,700 for the proposed new youth section of the Calne-based athletics club.

“We’re hoping to start the Youth Athletics Club in May and Tristan Williams, the head of Springfield School, has said that we’ll be able to use facilities there,” said race co-ordinator Lee Chalk.

“This year’s race was good and I think the conditions made it really interesting for all the runners.”

Chippenham’s Commonwealth Games 100m star Elaine O’Neill handed out prizes at Sunday’s event.

Otto Copping was first in the single kilometre fun run in 5 minutes and 27 seconds, followed by Michael Goff (5:49) and Brandon Willox-Last, with a time of 5:56.