Over 120 runners from near and far converged on Bratton to tackle the 15th Bratton Hilly 11km race on Saturday 14th May, taking on the challenging terrain in yet another successful hilly run.
Runners enjoyed plenty of spring sunshine as they completed the picturesque but challenging course, which took them from the Jubilee Hall up towards the White Horse, out to Westdown Farm, and then back to the finish line in the village.
A tight battle for first place took place between Tom Fisher of Avon Valley Runners and Sam Pictor of Team Bratton Boys, who were neck and neck for most of the race. Tim Fisher crossed the finish line first in 41mins 59 secs, with Sam coming in at 42mins 18 secs. First female to complete the race was Diane Hier, of Warminster Running Club, in 50 minutes and 27 seconds, followed by Karen Butler of Avon Valley Runners in 51mins 26 secs.
Prizes of 1st Bratton Runner were awarded to Adam Gazzard and 1st Bratton School Associate to James Fielder, while the Roger Broberg Youth Plate went to Jimmy Bryant. Local running club Avon Valley Runners scooped most of the prizes while all runners were congratulated for their efforts.
Not only is the race popular with villagers and local running clubs, but runners from as far afield as Leicester came to take on the course. As in previous years, finishers were presented with a special local momento, a mug made by Trevor Pictor of White Horse Pottery. A donation from the proceeds of the race will be made to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
Although the race was the main event, there was lots more going on in the village for spectators. The school held their own race for the children before the event. Bacon butties and refreshments were provided at the Jubilee Hall while The Duke pub hosted a hog roast and their own beer festival over the weekend, which was particularly well-received by participants after the run!
The Bratton Hilly was started 14 years ago by founder Roger Broberg, and a plate is now presented to a runner in his honour. Roger was helped by Simon and Dot Reeves of Bratton to raise funds for the village school and for many years the school benefited from the proceeds. Now the race is organised by Simon and Dot, along with the Jubilee Hall management committee.
Dot Reeves said, “I think it’s safe to say it was a huge success. The atmosphere was just as good as ever, it’s brilliant. People were saying that when they were at the start and the music was playing and the runners were lining up, and I’ve since had e-mails saying thank you for such a great day.”
“We weren’t expecting as many runners as last year, but we had record of entries made on the day. We had some from London, the running club in Leicester, Dorset, Swindon – although we do seem to get more and more locals now, and it’s a big village event.”
Prizes were awarded as follows: 1st Male – 00:41:59 – Tom Fisher, Avon Valley Runners. 2nd – 00:42:18 – Sam Pictor, Team Bratton Boys. 3rd – 00:45:53 – Gary Hughes, Team Bath AC.
1st Female – 00:50:27 – Diane Hier, Warminster Running Club. 2nd – 00:51:26 – Karen Butler, Avon Valley Runners. 3rd – 00:54:16 – Claire Curtis, Team Bath AC.
1st MV40 – 00:50:06 – Mike Pace, Avon Valley Runners. 1st MV50 – 00:48:41 – Sean Butler, Avon Valley Runners. 1st MV60 – 00:53:59 – Frank Lamerton, Avon Valley Runners. 1st FV35 – 00:54:47 – Claire Howard, Avon Valley Runners. 1st FV45 – 00:59:19 – Ali Atkinson, Avon Valley Runners. 1st FV55 – 1:03:07 – Rosemary Barber Avon Valley Runners.
1st Male Team – Tom Fisher, Sean Butler, Danny Gard, Mike Pace: Avon Valley Runners. 1st Female Team – Karen Butler, Claire Howard, Carla Dudman, Melanie Nicholls – Avon Valley Runners.
1st Bratton Runner: Adam Gazzard. 1st Bratton School Associate: James Fielder. Roger Broberg Youth Plate: Jimmy Bryant
