SWINDON Harriers retained the team title at the gruelling Terminator multi-terrain race in Pewsey on Sunday.

Helping secure the crown for another year were brothers Simon and Luke Byrne, Steve Goulding, Peter Keen, Tim Purvey, Michael Tune, Mark Bellamy and Will Ballard.

Goulding was first in the male vet 50 category in 1:29:07, while Peter Keen was third in male vet 40 (1:29:40) and Julie Goulding was third in the female vet 45 section.

Warminster’s Charles Pennington was the clear overall winner, three and a half minutes ahead of Jonathan Gordon of Royal Engineers RC, with Gavin Pritchard third.

Simon Byrne and sibling Luke enjoyed high finishes as they ended up overall fifth and seventh respectively. Chepstow Harriers runner Niki Morgan was the first woman home with Michelle Pank in runner-up spot (Alchester RC) and JS Merrick (Somer RC) completing the top three.

More than 500 runners braved freezing temperatures to compete, tackling steep hills and icy streams in the process.

Pewsey Vale Running Club’s next event is the Bluebell 12k Race on Sunday, April 21, in Collingbourne Ducis. The Pewsey Great Bustard five-mile race takes place on Saturday, July 20. 

Meanwhile, Swindon Harriers’ Gary O’Brien now tops the Wiltshire rankings for 10km running after triumphing at the Castle Combe Chilly 10k.

The 42-year-old battled through the cold conditions to finish the course in 34:43, two minutes ahead of Josh Taylor (Team Bath AC). Aled Jones of RM Tri completed the top three, crossing the line in 36:51.

Another Swindon Harrier, John Dill, was 22nd overall. Michelle Kerfoot (Bitton Road Runners) won the women’s race comfortably from Hayley Winters (Gloucester AC) and Emily Tomlin (PD Fitness Fsen) was third.

The highest female local finisher was Rachel Barber of Cirencester AC, who was fourth in 42:38 and 17th overall.

Prior to the race, participants held a minute’s silence in memory of circuit owner Howard Strawford, who died last Saturday.

The next local 10k race is the Devizes 10k, which is being held on Sunday and doubles as a Wiltshire Road Race League event.

Competitors also contested the Castle Combe Chilly Duathlon last weekend.

Alex Matchett (The Triathlon Shop, Bristol) took top spot with the highest-placed local finisher being Swindon Tri’s Peter Gilbert in 24th, as he clocked 51:37.