112 runners took part in the gruelling ninth annual Imber Ultra Marathon race on Sunday 5th March, organised by the Rotary Club of Westbury and the Avon Valley running group of Trowbridge.
The event helps the Rotary Club to raise funds to support local charities .
The race follows a circular route starting at the Leighton Recreation Centre in Westbury, skirting Warminster, Chitterne, Tilshead and Edington before returning to Westbury, a route of some 33 miles over tracks and rough terrain.
The race was started by the Westbury Town Crier John Hadfield after a brief by Avon Valley race coordinator Martin Bull and a speech by the Westbury Rotary president Jon Street. Prizes were given out to runners on the day by Antiques Roadshow star Mark Allum.
“This year we had a reduced number of entries but still managed to attract 112 hardy souls to attempt this arduous event,” said the organisers. “The weather was very kind to the runners with cool temperatures and light winds for the majority of the race.
“People who know Salisbury Plain are aware that it can be a bleak place in inclement weather. The winning runner, Ra Twilley, came home in 4 hours 8 minutes and he had a sprint finish to beat Jack Blanchard by only eight seconds. The winning lady, Una Mills, finished in 4 hours 26 minutes; these are impressive stats by any standards.
BBC’s Antiques Roadshow star presents the prizes
“The prizes were awarded by Marc Allum. Marc is a well-known antiques expert from Chippenham, and he has appeared for over ten years on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. Marc stayed on for over three hours to present all of the prizes.
“The race was sponsored by Myddleton & Major from Salisbury and Ford car dealership of Trowbridge and Westbury. Lidl’s also supplied a large quantity of bottled water and citrus fruit for the runners and Morrisons supplied fruit as well. Planning is already underway for the 10th running of the event in 2024!”
For enquiries about Rotary and its role in the local community please contact the membership officer David Pike, davidjohnpike@aol.com or the club president Jon Street, jonathanstreet@hotmail.co.uk
