More than 300 athletes, took part in the new Devizes Half Marathon on Sunday – the first to be held in the town for years.

The race was organised by Chippenham-based Events Logic UK and sponsored by local brewers Wadworth, who provided each competitor with an engraved beer glass as a keepsake.

Devizes Mayor Kelvin Nash welcomed everyone and started the race from The Green.

Runners then set off, to much encouragement from spectators, running just over 13 miles. The course took them on a tour of Horton, All Cannings and Etchilhampton before looping back onto London Road and finishing on The Green.

The first to finish was a delighted Gary O’Brien, from Swindon Harriers. He stormed over the finish line in one hour and 15 minutes.

The women’s race was won by Holly Rush, from Team Bath, who passed the finish line in 1:19.

Steve Fream, of Event Logic, said: “There was a great turnout from residents and spectators along the route to support all the competitors, whether they were more experienced athletes or those taking on the distance for the first time.”

Ian Berry was the first to finish the veteran men’s race (over 40 years) in a nifty 1:22. The first veteran women’s finisher (over 35 years) was Sarah Alvis in a respectable 1:38. In the super veteran category (over 50 years), Gary Eagle finished first in a superb 1:21 and Trinity Booth won the women’s super veteran category in 1:35.

All those finishing first in their category became Events Logic UK race record holders for this event. Mr Fream said: “We hope they will all return on October 20 next year to defend their race records.”

Proceeds from the race will go to Wiltshire Air Ambul-ance, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and the Firefighters’ Charity.

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