CHRISTMAS has come early for Trowbridge-based runner Michael Towler this year.

Towler, who is a member of Avon Valley Runners, followed up his success in winning the Wiltshire Road Race League title for the first time with a runaway victory in the Bromham Christmas Pud 10k road race on Sunday.

For Towler, it was his fourth success in the event but first since 2014, and while he finished a comfortable winner by 52 seconds, he wasn’t entirely happy with the result.

“It wasn’t what I wanted in terms of the time as I was hoping for sub-32 minutes, but it was a bit windy and my legs just did not have it on the day,” said Towler.

“I started well and went through the first two miles in 10mins 17secs, but then slowed down.

“Bromham is a fast course and if you get things right, you can run quickly, but it just wasn’t my day for that.”

Towler isn’t sure whether he will race again this year, but can already reflect that 2018 has been the best of his career so far.

“That’s probably true,” added Towler.

“Obviously every year you look to improve and set higher goals, but I have run personal bests at every distance from 5k and won the Wiltshire Road Race title for the first time.”

There was further success for AVR, with Dominic Beddis finishing first V40 and teenager Owen Lythell claiming the U17 men’s prize.

Top U20 runner was Chippenham Harriers’ Rohan Archer, while Southampton’s Sarah Kingston was the clear winner of the women’s race.

  • SIMON Nott warmed up for his defence of his senior men’s title at the Tri-Counties Cross Country Championships on Sunday with a solid performance in Portsmouth.

The Calne Running Club athlete clocked the second best time of his career when finishing fifth in the Victory 5 miles road race, recording 25:10.

“I didn’t feel on top form as I picked up a lurgy in the week and was even thinking about not racing,” said Nott.

“Overall I was happy considering everything and now next week will be my final race of the season when I defend my Tri-Counties cross country title at Bath University.

“I am looking forward to that as cross country is all about racing and times don’t matter at all.”

Damian Spreckley of Avon Valley Runners was 30th and third V40 and Calne’s Denise Nott was third female V45.