AARON Phelps and Zoe Wassell clinched a superb Gloucestershire double in the Aztec West Fast 5k road race in Bristol this week.
The Stroud & District AC pair emerged victorious over the quick three-lap course with 22-year-old Phelps smashing his personal best by over a minute with a time of 14mins 56secs and 16-year-old Wassell (pictured) just missing her best by one second with 17mins 40secs.
“That was a great run by Aaron and he is going really well at the moment,” said coach Chris Frapwell.
“He is finally getting the training done because he wants to go to America next year to study for a Masters degree!”
Nonetheless, Phelps’ win was a surprise especially as his more celebrated Stroud team-mate Will Paulson was also in the field.
Paulson may still not be at his best after his long injury and health problems but he was expected to be contesting the lead from a strong field in Tuesday evening’s event.
“Will should have been able to sit in on Aaron and then out-kick him with his better speed but he had stomach problems on the night and had to take it easy,” explained Frapwell.
So Phelps was left to battle it out with Owain Jones of Bristol & West AC as both dipped under 15 minutes with Phelps edging it by two seconds.
Paulson had to settle for third in 15:14 with Brett Halliwell seventh (15:28) as Stroud finished four in the top eight to underline their strength.
Further down the field teenager Wassell, who lives in Tetbury, led from start to finish in the women’s race winning in 17:40.
