ANNABEL Granger raced to victory in the Severn Bridge half marathon as local runners dominated the women’s race.
Granger of Bristol & West AC finished 17th overall to claim the women’s title in a time of 1hr 12mins 28secs. It was only her third race of the year having finished fifth in the Exeter half marathon (83:21) and 23rd in the Cheshire elite marathon last April (2:59.26).
The next two places on the podium were filled by the Great Western Runners pair of Lauren Reid, marking her debut at the distance with a fine 83:41 in second and Kelly Dicks third.
Dicks clocked a time of 84:03 which carved 1min 28secs off her previous best set four years ago in the Bristol half event.
Also making the top ten were the Westbury Harriers’ pair of Sophie Voller and Robyn Ellis in seventh and ninth respectively.
Top local male was Westbury’s Alex Hamblin in sixth just ahead of GWR’s John Cox.
In the 10k race it was good to see Bristol & West AC’s long-serving Phil Parry back in the groove as he finished fourth overall and top veteran over 50.
Parry has raced sparingly this year with just a handful of parkruns and a 5 miles race in Thornbury last month.
Severn Bridge half marathon and 10k
Half marathon – men: 6 Alex Hamblin (WH) 78:46; 7 John Cox (GWR) 79:31; 12 Will Purcell (GWR) 81:16; 20 George Evans (TRC, M50, 2nd) 83:08;
Women: 1 Annabel Granger (B&W, W40) 82:28; 2 Lauren Reid (GWR) 83:41; 3 Kelly Dicks (GWR) 84:03; 7 Sophie Voller (WH, W40) 89:07; 9 Robyn Ellis (WH, W40) 91:30.
10k – men: 4 Phil Parry (M50, 1st) 36:49; 6 Victor Manuel Mateu Garcia (Southville RC) 38:29.