YOUNG Westbury Harrier Ben Rawlins raced to an impressive victory in the Easy Runner Sodbury Slog 10 miles multi terrain race yesterday.
The junior runner (pictured above courtesy of Westbury Harriers), who is a student at the SGS Bristol Academy of Sport in Filton, showed tremendous strength and pace judgement to secure a comfortable victory finishing almost a minute clear of Edward Chuck from Dulwich Runners with Winchester’s Dan Cunnington third.
It is Rawlins’ best win of 2019 but apart from running he is very active in the triathlon scene earning international honours so there is little doubt he is an immensely talented young man and one to watch carefully in the coming years.
Westbury clubmate Anthony Glover (pictured right) also made the top ten in fifth place and also scooped the veterans’ over 40s prize.
Cameron Slater was Weston AC’s top performer in eighth while Thornbury Running Club’s Rob Cowlard was 15th and leading Bristol & West athlete was Ciaran McQuade in 16th.
Bristol Uni student Alice Sowden was first woman in 21st overall clocking a time of 1hr 12mins 10secs with team-mate Sophie Birtles not far behind in second (1:23.43).
Bristol & West runner Ellen Harrison completed a clean sweep for the students in third.
Host club Bitton Road Runner also enjoyed some success with Helen Clark top female veteran over 40 while Great Western Runners’ Sam Mumford was first W50.
Once again the event, which was launched in 1990, was a huge success with an increase of 30 per cent in entry applications for the 1,100 places permitted. There were 977 finishers.