MAX Davis warmed up for his assault at the English Schools’ Championships this weekend by scorching to a runaway victory in the Compton Bassett five-miles road race.

The 18-year-old member of Avon Valley Runners was in a class of his own as he completed the course in a club record time of 25mins 10secs, leaving him over two minutes clear of runner-up Simon Byrne, of Swindon Harriers.

“It has been a busy week as I ran 4mins 18secs for the mile at Cheltenham on Wednesday and that equates to a PB over 1,500m of around 3mins 59secs as well,” said Davis.

“Simon led for the first kilometre on Sunday and then I took over and felt good. It is a very fast course with just one tiny hill and it was brilliantly organised with plenty of support out on the course which was great.

“There were so many people out there cheering and there wasn’t one quiet moment. It was really good.”

Byrne was a distant runner-up in 27:12, with Devizes Running Club veteran Simon Gilbert third in 27:23.

Bethan Francis, who lives near Bradford-on-Avon, completed an AVR double by finishing eighth overall (31:55) and top woman.

Second in the women’s field was Chippenham Harriers’ veteran Emma Hines (33:05), with visitor Charlotte Wilton third (34:26).

From Team Bath AC, Wiltshire stalwart Zina Marchant was in action and placed 60th overall, 16th woman and first V65 in a time of 42:39.