A RECORD 45-teams lined up in glorious sunshine at Bradford on Avon RFC in Winsley for the sixth Avon Valley Relay.

Teams of four covered a 17-mile course that takes them from Winsley down to the first handover point at Dundas Aqueduct.

They join the towpath of the Kennet and Avon canal which is then followed back through Bradford for the second handover by the Tithe Barn and all the way to the final handover at the Somerset Arms in Semington before going cross-country to the finish at Doric Park in Hilperton.

The team, from hosts Avon Valley Runners, of Carl Davies, Dominic Beddis, Mike Towler and Antony Mills were first back in a time of 1hr 39mins.

Teams representing Frome Running Club, Devizes Running Club, Westbury Running Group, Nailsea Running Club, Corsham Running Club, Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds, Team Bath AC and Hot Chilli Tri also took part.

In the ladies’ race the Team Bath quartet of Zina Marchant, Helen Boyce, Liz Milsom and Lindsey Dow took the honours, while Frome Running Club triumphed in the mixed team category.

In the junior category, there was a one-two-three finish for Avon Valley Runners.

Full results at www.avonvalleyrunners.org.uk