RUTH Barnes was delighted with her victory in the popular Highworth 5 miles road race as it continued her excellent start to 2015.

It was her third win of the year after previous triumphs in the Devizes 10k and the Calne Clock Challenge 10k as the 36-year-old from Bradford on Avon proves she is one of the best road runners in Wiltshire.

“It was the first time I have done the Highworth 5 and I was really pleased to win and bear Kate Jacobs,” said Barnes.

“My training has been going well since August and I have managed some good consistency which has definitely helped me get faster.”

Barnes is working towards the Bristol 10k next month feeling that the quality of the field and the fast course will give her the best possible chance of improving her PB of 36:08 which she set two years ago in Bromham.

“I wold love to get under 36 minutes,” added Barnes.

On a good day for Avon Valley Runners Mike Towler was runner-up to Swindon Harriers’ Nyle Clinton in the men’s race with his AVR clubmate Rich Ayling fourth.

Zoe Mattacks got her outdoor season up and running with a busy afternoon at the Yate Sprint & Hurdles meeting.

The 16-year-old Team Bath athlete from Southwick won the 80m hurdles in a time of 12.38secs, which was narrowly outside her 2014 best of 12.33secs and also clocked 12.4secs in the 100m and 7.9secs for the 60m.

That represents a solid start for the John of Gaunt School student and a lot more is sure to come in the months ahead.

Also from the Mattacks family Joel clocked 8.9secs in the 60m and 14.9 for 100m and Edith Mattacks ran 10.4secs for 60m and 17.1secs for the 100m.

Matravers School student William Kennedy was also in action clocking 22.79secs for 200m, 11.5secs for 100m and 7.1secs for 60m.

Molly Bennett was the sole representative of Devizes Moonrakers and clocked times of 8.4secs (60m), 13.0secs (100m) and 27.93secs (200m).