At the end of last year, the club announced the Bristol & West Road Club Championships - a series of events where first claim athletes have the chance to become club champion over 5k, 5 mile, 10k and half marathon distances. Medals are awarded to the first male and female finishers in senior, V40, V50 and V60 age categories.
Sunday’s Bath Half Marathon was the first of four opportunities to compete in the championships. It was a great event, with over 20 Bristol & West athletes competing on the day, and many supporting and volunteering at the event as well. With the results now finalised, we’re pleased to announce the Bristol & West club champions for the half marathon distance. Congratulations to all of our winners. We will arrange medals for you all.
Women
In her first year racing for the club, Amy Hammersley ran 1:22:50 to become the senior women’s half marathon club champion. Amy finished 18th, and just missed out on a PB. Amy led Bristol and West to a 2nd place finish in the female team race, alongside Annabel Granger and Miranda King.
After a strong showing at last year's Avon and Gwent Leagues, Tanya Chowdhury ran within 10 seconds of her PB (set at last year's Bath Half) finishing the race in 1:31:40 to become our W40 club champion.
Annabel Granger showed her strength over the half marathon distance, by clocking a time of 1:23:23. This placed her 3rd V50 at the event, and the Bristol & West half marathon club champion for the W50 age category.
Men
Rounding off a strong winter, in which he competed for England, Kurt Taylor ran 1:06:55 to take the Bristol & West half marathon senior men’s title. Despite a stitch in the latter stages, Kurt came 10th overall and led the Bristol & West AC senior men’s team to 3rd team overall on the day (alongside Johnny Suttle, Will Langdon and Andrew Grigg).
After a strong summer season competing in the Avon League, George Daly made his debut over the distance, running a time of 1:54:18 to become the M40 club champion.
Finally on the men’s side James Hodge finished 11th M50 overall to become the club champion for the M50 age category. His time of 1:21:19 was a PB time in this age group.
There is still time to enter the remaining three events in the club championships, the details of which can be found on the club website, and below:
5 miles - Weston Prom Run, Weston-super-Mare: Thursday 18th April 2024 (entries close 16th April)
10k - GWR Towpath 10, Sport Centre Ashton Park School: Friday 25th May 2024 (available to enter before or on the night)
5k - South West PB Series, Odd Down Playing Field Bath: Wednesday 14th August 2024 (entries TBC)