AVON Valley Runners have burst back into action with a club record for Jackie Rockliffe and a personal best time for junior, Max Davis.

Rockliffe took a brief break from her work as a freelance hairdresser to finish sixth overall and first veteran over 50 in the Chilly 10k around the Castle Combe motor racing circuit.

“Jackie has been very busy with work recently but has also been doing some good sessions with me and ran a new club record,” said her coach Steve Williams, who is based in Bradford-upon-Avon.

Rockliffe has only recently moved into the W50 age group, and that time is the sixth fastest time by an over 50 in Britain this year as well as the second fastest in the South West.

Rockliffe was racing for the first time seriously in over a year, as was 19-year-old clubmate Davis.

The England international opted for the Mallory Park 10k in Leicestershire, finishing 13th overall and top junior in 31mins 12secs.

While it was only his third attempt at the distance, it sliced eight seconds off the time he set on his debut in 2018 and was quick enough to put him currently top of the 2021 South West Rankings.

“It was supposed to be a fast course but it wasn’t quite what I expected,” said Davis of the six-laps challenge on the motor-racing circuit.

“I’m pretty sure I can go a lot faster than that, but for now I am just happy to be back racing again.”

Davis had a long period out of training last year following the first lockdown and only resumed running again seriously in November, but admitted it was hard work to get back into the rhythm.

“In January, I felt like I was really struggling in my sessions, but Steve (Steve Williams, his coach) worked his magic, and to just get back onto the start line in decent shape feels like an achievement,” added Davis.

Williams is confident the result will be a launchpad for further success.

“I think being back into a proper race situation will give Max a huge confidence boost,” said Davis. “It is a good, solid start.”

Davis is now waiting to hear whether he has got an entry for the test event of the new South West 5k PB series on the Odd Down cycle circuit on April 28th.

After that, Davis is set on trying the super-fast Speedway 10k in Chepstow in May.