THERE has been much cause for celebration in the Littlechild household of Corsham this week, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

For mum Karen and her organising team in the Corsham St George’s 10k road race there was satisfaction at a sell-out entry of 1,200 runners and on the day a record 1,057 finishers.

That also included a new junior women’s record as teenage daughter Jade celebrated her debut in the event with a superb second place overall in the women’s race.

“I thought Jade might make the top 10 so when I saw here come down the finish straight in second I was blown away,” said Karen, who was working at the finish area.

Being her home town race with such a big following and reputation it is an event that Jade, who goes to Corsham School, has always wanted to do since she took up running, but coach Martin Rush has wisely kept her away from bashing her bones on the road at such a young age.

“But this year as I turned 16 he said I might get the chance to run it for the first time if I did my exercises and drills,” said Jade.

“I have always wanted to run it being my home town event and my mum is on the organising committee and has also run it herself.

“I felt so nervous beforehand as it felt like a national type race to me. With over 1,000 runners it was also the biggest field I have ever raced in as well.”

Jade coped okay with the first half of the race as that is roughly the distance she has been tackling in U17 cross country races all winter.

The second half proved tougher but with great support from the crowd she maintained her form to cross the line in a highly respectable debut time of 40mins 21secs.

“Everywhere out on the course people were cheering me on which was great,” added Jade.

“It was tough but I am so pleased to have finished second at my first attempt. But I won’t be running any more 10k races until next year because it is a big jump up in distance.

“Now it will be back to the track for the summer.”

In the men’s race, Calne Running Club’s Simon Nott made it five wins in succession and remarkably in the last three years he has recorded exactly the same winning time of 32mins 52secs.

Corsham 10k – men: 1 Simon Nott (Calne RC) 32:52; 2 Michael Towler (AVR) 33:35; 3 John Cracknell (unatt) 33:53.

Women: 1 Asia Zmyslona (unatt) 37:58; 2 Jade Littlechild (TB, U17) 40:21 (junior record).

THE Howorth brothers, from Hilperton, had an outstanding evening in Watford last week as all dipped under 1mins 58secs their first outdoor 800m of the season.

John notched up 1:57.61 with twin Robert just behind in 1:57.71 while Rory achieved the English Schools’ qualifying standard with 1:57.83.

MORE REACTION & PICTURES FROM SUNDAY'S CORSHAM ST GEORGE'S 10K IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD