WITH miles of beautiful countryside to take in, and several keen local running groups prepared to organise meetings, there are plenty of events for runners coming up in Westbury.
Whether you’re a beginner just wanting to get around the course, or an experienced runner aiming for a personal best or new challenge, here are some of the events coming up in and around Westbury:
• Southwick Country parkrun celebrates its first anniversary on Saturday 1st September. Southwick parkrun is a free, 5km run at Southwick Country Park, which is held every Saturday at 9.00am. The event welcomes all ages and abilities. To mark the anniversary two runners will be racing the 5km course in fancy dress to raise money for the charity Different Strokes, and welcome people to pay £1 to guess the time gap, for the chance to win 10 personal training sessions worth £350. This prize has been donated by Fusion Fitness. Different Strokes provides a unique, free service to younger stroke survivors throughout the UK.
At 10.00am, the cafe in the park will host the annual parkrun award ceremony sponsored by Kyna software, Welbourn Solutions, and GR Russell Engraving. To find out more about parkrun visit www. parkrun.org.uk/ southwickcountrypark
• Westbury Lions host their 10K run on 14th October, starting at White Horse Country Park at 11.00am. Last year’s inaugural event proved to be popular with local runners as the route is generally level, appealing to beginners and serious runners alike. Starting at the country park, the route heads out to Bratton and past Bratton Recreation Ground, before crossing fields to get back to the country park.
Runners can register in advance for £8, or turn up on the day and pay £10 with registration from 9.30am. For more details and application forms visit www.westburylions.org.uk or visit the Lions bookshop on Bratton Road in Westbury.
A walk to raise money for the British Heart Foundation is being organised for the same day.
• Organised by Stampede Sports, The White Horse Gallop takes place on Sunday 18th November starting at 10.00am. This 5 miles run route takes runners along bridlepaths from Leighton Recreation Centre up to the top of Westbury White Horse and then back down again. Further information including course maps and entry details are available at www. stampedesports. co.uk
• Avon Valley Runners are launching the AVR Wiltshire Half Marathon, which will start and finish in Station Yard, Edington, while taking in a picturesque course through the villages of Steeple Ashton and Great Hinton. The event will fundraise for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
Organisers are welcoming both experienced runners and new runners to take on the challenge and support the half marathon, which is limited to 350 places. The AVR Wiltshire Half Marathon will be held on Sunday 9th December, starting at 11.00am. More information and entry forms are available from www.avrwiltshirehalf marathon.org
• Looking ahead to next year, the date has been set for the seventeenth Bratton Happy Valley Hilly Run on Saturday 11th May 2013. This 11km steep and hilly road race for runners over 16 years, offers runners a challenge with the reward of a picturesque course with views.
More details will become available closer to the time at www.bratton jubileehall.org.uk/hillrun
