AVON Valley Runners’ Michael Towler warmed up for Saturday’s South of England cross country championships by cruising to victory in the Corsham Park Challenge last weekend.

Towler, 24, from Trowbridge, finished the six-mile Corsham event, the fourth in event in the Wiltshire Off-Road Race League, in 34mins 47secs – almost a minute ahead of second-placed Heath Bampton (35:26).

And Towler says that his participation in the Park Challenge was all part of his preparations for this weekend’s cross country showpiece at Parliament Hill, London.

“I’d looked at the race in Corsham a few days before but it was a bit of a spur of a moment thing to go and compete,’’ said Towler, who is coached by Martin Rush.

“I had a look at the mileage I was supposed to be doing and decided to change it a little by racing there instead,”

“I haven’t really raced much in the last six or seven weeks and my legs did feel a bit heavy but you expect that.

“I’ve got some big races coming up this year and it’s all about getting ready for them.

“I’ve never done the cross country championships before and it’s just a good chance to see how you get on against different runners.

“There should be about 14 of us going from the club – it’s good to get the chance to go to these big races as a team.”

Chippenham Harriers’ Sam Hull finished third in the Park Challenge (35:54).

Round five of the Off-Road league is the Wiltshire Bustard half marathon in Salisbury, in March.

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