FORMER marathon international and now leading British ultra distance specialist Holly Rush took a break from her heavy training schedule to win the Forest of Dean Trails marathon on Sunday, writes Kevin Fahey.

The Bradford on Avon runner has been piling in the miles ahead of her next big endurance challenge of the Templiers Great Run 45 miles event, the oldest and most prestigious ultra race in France.

“I decided I would just train as usual and hope I could run at a steady pace on the day whilst having a final nutrition practice for Le Templiers,” said Rush.

“I had no idea how I would feel and as I had planned to use the first lap as a warm up, I set off at a pace that felt comfortable,” added Rush.

“To my delight my legs worked and I didn’t feel anywhere as bad in training as I had the day before. I’m not sure why or how but I continued to feel good and was delighted to cross the line in 2hrs 59mins 55secs.

“If I am totally honest I had hoped to run under 3hrs 20mins and be happy with a reasonable training run, but to run the time that I did and feel the way I did has regained my confidence in my old bones and perhaps with a bit of a rest next week I will be able to run 45 miles over the mountains after all.”

Rush’s time gave her second place overall 1min 46secs behind Nuneaton’s Matthew Tonks and heads to France to tackle the Templiers Great Run on Sunday week.

  • THE Howorth twins from Hilperton have enjoyed an excellent start to the autumn/winter racing season.

On Saturday, Robert raced to victory in the U15 boys’ race of the opening Gloucester-shire Cross Country League near Bourton on the Water with John given second even though the brothers were given the same time.

That was just six days after they helped their club Team Bath finish a fine fifth in the National Young Athletes’ Road Relays in Birmingham.

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