Sam’s too slick for his rivals as he dominates final Towpath race

*Runaway winner: Sam Tabberner. Photos courtesy of Geoff Keogh and Great Western Runners*

SAM Tabberner claimed an emphatic victory in the final race of the popular Great Western Runners Towpath Series in Bristol last weekend.

The Clevedon AC runner clocked 16mins 16secs for the 5k event – the previous three races are all held over the 10k distance – to finish 50 seconds ahead of Rob Farley from Bitton Road Runners.

Tabberner, who also competes for Bristol & West AC, has raced infrequently this year but that time appears to be his best for the distance easily eclipsing his 16:21 time for a leg of the Cleeve Road Relays three years ago.

Westbury Harriers’ Alex Hamblin was third (17:17) with Callum Moore the top GWR man in fourth (17:19).

Westbury’s Daniel Ewing (17:34) and Clevedon’s Steve Wood (17:43), who was also first veteran, all finished inside 18 minutes.

Westbury’s Jay Hunt was leading junior in eighth (18:30).

Westbury’s Sophie Voller was the first woman in 25^th place overall (20:13) of the 97 finishers, with clubmate Marietta Kirkbridge second (20:33) and Bristol & West AC’s Marie Monaghan hot on her heels in third (20:36).