HARDY competitors threw caution to the wind and went toe-to-toe with the wet winter weather at last week's Warminster Plain Crazy.

In the fourth edition of the gruelling 12-mile race across Salisbury Plain, a local runner took the top prize for the first time as Edington’s Mark Threlfall was first over the line in one hour and seven minutes.

Although the number of participants was down on previous years, race organiser Ted Wilson was delighted with this season’s Plain Crazy.

“In the last few years, the 27th has been on a bank holiday because Christmas and Boxing Day had fallen on a weekend, so it was a working day,” said Wilson.

“The numbers might have been down a little bit but the quality of runner was still there and we were really happy about that.

“We’ve been doing this race for four years now and every year we’ve had different weather conditions.

“Last year it was very nice, the year before that we had a load of snow and it was rainy the year before that.

“This time, it was so windy and my wife Judith was running with ribbons in her hair – by the time she’d finished, they were in tatters.

“It was great and we raised a nice amount of money for the Royal British Legion at Warminster.”

Finishing a minute and 23 seconds behind winner and full-time triathlete Threlfall was Bristol’s Scott Campbell while Manchester Harriers’ Ed Fazakerly was third (1:08:27), also winning the male over 40 category.

Lee Simon from Englefield Green was the champion of the male over 50s while Royal Wootton Bassett’s Jonathan Bateman won the over 60s age group.

Lucy Richens, from Bristol-based Westbury Harriers, was the fastest lady of the day in one hour and 15 seconds while Upton Scudamore’s Diane Hier, who also lifted the womens’ over 45 crown, was second (1:24:03).

Kate Britten was the fastest lady in the over 35s while Westbury Harrier Shirley Hume took home the over 55s prize.

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