140 runners lined up at Leighton Recreation Centre for the White Horse Gallop trail run, which was hosting Race number four of the Wiltshire Off-Road Race League and attracted some good athletes at the sharp end.
The race which is sponsored by the White Horse News, is described as the most challenging trail run in Wiltshire offering some tough climbs and technical descents.
The 8-mile route took runners on the long climb up through Wellhead and onto the Imber Range Boundary path before performing a circuit around the White Horse which included a thigh burning climb up the embankment next to the horse itself before descending back along the Wessex Ridgeway into Westbury.
Making light work of the terrain was Matthew Battensby from Bristol & West AC who conquered the course in an impressive forty nine minutes and twenty eight seconds from Heath Bampton of Royal Wootton Basset Hounds and Stuart Temple of Swindon’s Slinn Allstars running club.
In the Ladies race, Hannah Claydon of Swindon Harriers ran out victorious ahead of Mary Gaston from Bristol & West AC and Jilly Raw from Pewsey Vale Running Club.
The team awards both went to Avon Valley Runners with Mike Rose, Daniel Piper, Gary MacAlister, Kiersty Rose, Fiona Gibbs and Melanie Nichols taking the honours for the Trowbridge based club. Other age category awards went to: MV40 – Ian Luke of Poole Runners; FV40 – Chrissy Smith of Running 4 Time; MV50 – Simon Rawlins of Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds; FV50 – Alison Graham of Corsham Running Club; MV60 – Geoff Newton of Tadworth AC; FV60 – Christina Vivian of Avon Valley Runners.
Full results can be found at www.stampedesports.co.uk
