LEADING Wiltshire runner Rich Ayling has paid tribute to the organisers of the Chippenham Half Marathon, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Ayling had every reason to be happy after finishing third overall and first county athlete on Sunday and also leading the Avon Valley Runners’ squad of Mike Rose, Dave Warren and Ian McKee to victory in the men’s team contest.

But irrespective of his personal success Ayling, who lives in Westbury, said the event was a winner.

“It is the first time I have run the Chippenham half and Chippenham Harriers put a very good race on which I really enjoyed,” said Ayling.

“It was very easy to get baggage sorted and numbers before the start and there were plenty of toilets. Along the route there were lots of marshals and drink stations.

“The first 10 miles are pancake-flay and quite rural and through the town there is plenty of support for the runners. In addition the cost of entering the race is very good. I think for my £20 I got a t-shirt and medal in my goodie bag.

“It is very accessible and proves it does not have to cost a fortune to run a half marathon like other races in the area which costs crazy money these days.

“I feel very positive about the event and I reckon the Harriers did a great job.”

Ayling completed the course in a time of 1hr 14mins 33secs which was just over a minute outside his personal best of 1:13.23 which he ran in the Cardiff event earlier this year.

Former British international Wendy Nicholls has run the event before so knew all about the first rate organisation but admitted she nearly missed the event having only recently returned from holiday.

“I had forgotten it was on until one of my training partners told me his wife was running it and I just made the entry deadline on Thursday,” said Nicholls, who lives in Fairford and competes for Cirencester AC.

“I have not done enough long runs to be honest to be fit to race and I quickly realised that! But it is a great race to run and really enjoyable and it was nice to come third and win a handy bonus.”

Due to her fitness Nicholls’ time in third place of 1hr 27mins 14secs certainly wasn’t her best on the course but she stressed it was a fast route.

“I think if you are fit it is a fast course even though the last 5k is slightly uphill,” added Nicholls.

“It is a good event and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Chippenham half marathon – men: 1 Paul Martelletti (Run Fast) 68:41; 2 Alastair Cambell (Stroud) 1:13.38; 3 Rich Ayling (AVR) 1:14.33; 4 Jim Webb (TB) 1:16.24; 5 Mike Rose (AVR) 1:17.10; 6 Robin Loftus (Stroud) 1:17.27.

Women: 1 Rebecca Moore (Chichester) 1:15.25 (course record); 2 Julia Belyavin (B&W, W35) 1:24.42; 3 Wendy Nicholls (Ciren, W45) 1:27.14. 9 Lucy Richens (WH, W35) 1:31.19. 1,505 finishers.

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