SIMON Nott has an enviable record as a senior man in the Wiltshire Cross Country Championships, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

His victory at the University of Bath on Sunday made it wins out two for the 23-year-old Calne Running Club athlete as he retained his title after a near-perfect tactical race.

“I usually race on the roads but I enjoy the country and I was very pleased to retain my Wiltshire title,” said Nott.

“It was good to get involved in a real race and I was pleased that I managed to pace myself so well and was able to come through the field and win the Wiltshire title again.”

Nott started conservatively ignoring the fast early pace in the 85-strong field comprising runners from Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire and settling into his own rhythm.

“My wife (Denise) reckoned I was 11th at the end of the first lap but that was okay as I was feeling strong,” added Nott.

“I knew a lot of runners would go off to fast and die as that often happens in cross country so I then began to work my way through the field.

“Coming up to the last lap I was up to third overall and first Wiltshire runner and I could see the top two (both Avon runners) were neck and neck ahead of me.

“Then one of those dropped off and I managed to catch him as well to finish second overall behind Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC).

“It was a really good race and a good way to end the year. I feel it is really coming together again after finally shaking off problem with my knee and my form of the last few months is something I can really build upon for 2017 as long as I avoid injury.”

Ben Brewster, of Southampton, claimed the county silver medal with former two-time champion Michael Towler, of Avon Valley Runners, third.

The senior women’s race saw a surprise win for Swindon Harriers’ Hannah Claydon.

Claydon, from Marlborough, has been showing good form in multi-terrain races but this was easily the best field she has beaten as she finished 35 seconds ahead of the much-improved Eilidh Bell, of Chippenham Harriers, who just 12 months ago finished 17th in this same event.

Bell also led the Chippenham Harriers women’s squad of Michelle Maxwell, Helen Gibbs and Emma Hines to victory in the team contest) by just 11 points from Avon Valley Runners.

Chippenham’s senior men also struck team gold with the squad of Brian Jeffery, Stuart Padget, Paul Gardiner, Peter Blake, William Trew and Nigel Smith proving too strong for AVR.

Individually, Swindon Harriers came out on top in the medals table with three golds, a silver and two bronzes, while Team Bath won a total of eight medals including two golds from Hilperton’s Freddie Webb (U17 men) and Corsham’s Jade Littlechild (U17 women).

Avon Valley Runners’ gold medal was won by Holly Newman in the U20 women’s race and there was also a title for Lavington Athletics’ Will Morris in the U15 boys’ age group.

WILTSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

Senior men: 1 Simon Nott (Calne RC) 34:24; 2 Ben Brewster Southampton) 34:40; 3 Michael Towler (AVR) 35:06.

Teams: 1 Chippenham Harriers 79 (7 Brian Jeffery, 9 Stuart Padget, 11 Paul Gardiner, 14 Peter Blake, 17 William Trew,21 Nigel Smith); 2 Avon Valley Runners 136.

U20 men: 1 Stephen Thomas (unatt) 19:16; 2 Cameron Perkins (TB) 19:23; 3 Elliot Lassiter (MADJA) 20:09.

U17 men: 1 Frederick Webb (TB) 19:12; 2 Dan Davis (MADJA) 19:46; 3 James Wright (Chipp) 19:48.

U15 boys: 1 Will Morris (Lavington) 13:18; 2 Nile Battey (Sals) 13:43; 3 Ellery Cole (Chipp) 13:55.

U13 boys: 1 Robert Jones (New Forest) 9:57; 2 Harry Cunningham (Swin) 10:12; 3 Lewis Leftwich (IIF Sals) 10:28.

U11 boys: 1 Joe Andrews (unatt) 7:01; 2 Harry Maxwell (TB) 7:26; 3 Fletcher Hart (Swin) 7:27.

Senior women: 1 Hannah Claydon (Swin) 25:18; 2 Eilidh Bell (Chip) 25:53; 3 3 Laura Backhouse (TB) 27:21.

Team: 1 Chippenham Harriers 25 (Bell, 4 Michelle Maxwell, 9 Helen Gibbs, 10 Emma Hines); 2 Avon Valley Runners 36.

U20 women: 1 Holly Newman (AVR) 23:25.

U17 women: 1 Jade Littlechild (TB) 17:58; 2 Caroline Brenchley (TB) 18:12; 3 Caitlin Wosika (TB) 18:46.

U15 girls: 1 Rachel Oram (Swin) 15:27; 2 Eva Porter (TB) 16:01; 3 Megan Wright (Chipp) 16:05.

U13 girls: 1 Olivia Roderick (IIF Salisbury) 10:54; 2 Rose Warren (Sals) 11:24; 3 Lavinia Rai (Swin) 11:26.

U11 girls: 1 Harriet Hillman (Swin) 7:19; 2 Erica Dunstone (Chipp) 7:51; 3 Hannah Norton (IIF Sals) 8:14.