CHIPPENHAM-BASED runner Eilidh Bell has received another timely boost ahead of the Manchester Marathon next week (April 8).

Bell smashed her personal best in the Cardiff Bay 10k road race on Sunday clocking a time of 37mins 43secs as she broke 38 minutes for the first time.

Coming on top of another huge personal best in the Bramley 20 miles road race last month the signs are looking encouraging for the Team Bath AC competitor as she attempts her third marathon with the ambition of breaking the three-hour barrier for the first time.

“I was really pleased with my run in Cardiff and it was nice to be on the start line for once and not feel freezing!” said the former Chippenham Harrier.

“It was a lovely day in Cardiff and conditions were perfect on what was a flat course around the bay.

“I was not sure how quick I could go with all the marathon training I have been doing so I was very happy to run under 38 minutes for the first time.

“It was a real confidence booster for the Manchester marathon in a few weeks’ time and now all I have to do is taper down for the event and avoid getting ill.”

Bell found herself in a high-quality event in the Wales capital and took full advantage of both the competition and conditions to finish 11th woman.

Clubmate Jenny Creed finished 19th as she also smashed her best by more than a minute with a time of 41mins 19secs.

Bell’s time also lifts her to 11th in the South West Rankings and is the fastest by a Team Bath woman this year.

In America Box athlete Livia Gauntlett, who is at Harvard University, ran a swift albeit wind-assisted 13.86secs (+4.6w) for the 100m hurdles at the Cougar Spring Break Open in Houston followed by a legal 14.33secs in North Carolina last weekend.