WILTSHIRE youngsters Rory Howorth and Themis Bower both scorched to impressive victories in the third Gwent Cross Country League fixture held at Brecon, writes Kevin Fahey.

St Augustine’s Catholic College student Howorth, who has just returned from injury, ran a controlled race and came through strongly to win the U13 boys race.

Bower, who lives in Marshfield, notched up his second successive league success with an emphatic victory in the U15 boys’ event and was well supported by the Howorth twins Robert and John Howorth in fourth and eighth respectively.

The win completed a good few days for 14-year-old Bower as during the week he became the youngest ever winner of the monthly Running Bath 5k around Bath University.

Bower dominated the race to win in a time of 16mins 38secs which carved 23 seconds off his personal best – and also earned him the prize as most improved runner.

Back at Brecon, John of Gaunt School student Caitlin Wosika gave a strong performance in the under-15 girls’ race to finish fifth.

  • MICHAEL Towler of Avon Valley Runners romped to victory in the Bromham Christmas Pud 10k road race in 33 minutes 28 seconds from Bristol & West’s Matt Battensby (34:13) with AVR’s Richard Ayling third (34:28).

Victory maintained Tow-ler’s excellent record in the event as it was his second win in three years while he has also finished runner-up twice and third twice in his past six appearances.

  • WELLS City Harriers Alex Williams was first across the line in the latest Southwick Country Parkrun in 18 minutes 17 seconds. Kate Hails, of Run 4 Fitness, was the first woman home in 23.36.

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