RACING for only the second time over 10 miles, Michael Towler stamped his authority on the Chippenham event on Good Friday with a course record time.

Heavy rain forced the organisers at Cadence-Events to tweak the course to avoid flooded sections, but that didn’t prevent Towler, who is a member of Avon Valley Runners and lives in Trowbridge, splashing his way to victory by over two minutes from a big field of 448 finishers.

“I was reasonably pleased with my run but it was a bit lonely as I led from the start and finished almost two-and-a-half minutes clear,” said Towler.

Visitors from Durham and London trailed in behind the local favourite, whose only previous attempt at the distance was five years ago when he clocked 57mins 35secs.

“I just went at my own pace, but it was hard work in the conditions and part of the course was closed due to flooding,” added Towler.

“Now I will be racing the Wiltshire Road League so next up will be the Highworth 5 on Sunday and then the Compton Bassett 5 at the end of the month.”

Behind Towler, the veterans’ O40s prize went to Simon Gilbert, of Devizes Running Club, as he just edged out Chippenham Harriers’ William Trew.

Chippenham Harriers’ clubmate Vicky Green gave it everything to deliver a home win in the women’s race but found Swindon-born Caitie O’Donoghue, who competes for the Bristol & West club, too powerful as she also set a new record time of 63mins 22secs.

O’Donoghue said: “Even though it was chucking it down with rain the marshals were brilliant and I thought the organisation of the race was great.

“I would definitely recommend this race to anyone. I really enjoyed it.”