THE new Aztec West 5k course and race, organised by Bristol & West AC, promised to be fast, and would appear to have delivered.

Replacing the Bridge Inn Series, the venue is more convenient for Thornbury Running Club members, and the first event saw a good turnout for the club.

Steve Allen was the only member to finish in under 20 minutes, clocking 19:46, followed by Kevin Wood (21:51), Ros Rowland (22.16), Ross Phillips (22:29), Jo Williams (23:10). Sandra Webber (25:17), John Watt (26:42) and Janet Gaze (26:47).

Saturday was an important day for the parkrun community, it being 10 years since the first 13 runners sped round a 5k course in Bushy Park.

There are now over half a million registered runners, with events taking place in 291 locations and many Thornbury Runners are registered, if not regular participants.

Andrew Darton completed his 20th parkrun, though just his second over the Chipping Sodbury course to beat his previous time there, finishing second in 18:27.

Trudi Johnson also ran at Sodbury, her first time at the venue, and with a time of 26:35 it seems Little Stoke suits them both better.

Thomas Darton, Andrew’s son, took part in Junior parkrun at Little Stoke on Sunday and finished ninth in 9:35 over the 2k course.

A mini-bus load travelled to Salisbury for the Clarendon Marathon, a tough, mainly off-road gem that clearly shouldn’t be rushed.

Jim Williams was the first club member to complete the course in 4:09:59, followed by Nancy Harding in 4:37:52.

Then came Jo Williams (4:41:12), Jan Constable (4:45:27) and Emma Barnes (4:47:16), while Pete Mainstone(4:49:52) left behind by all his female companions.

Three opted for the half-marathon distance, which was the second half of the full marathon course; Fiona Moore a last minute entrant, beating the boys to finish in 1:53:52, with Nigel Hale 2:09:21 and John Watt 2:17:39.

Rob Hopkins chose the Chester Marathon and was delighted to knock eight minutes from his previous marathon best to finish in 3:06:36.

Rob Watkins’ time of 3:50:26, more than acceptable for many other runners, was a comeback jog around the course, following an injury.

Fiona Moore was the only Thornbury runner to take on the Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon, finishing 153rd in a respectable time of 1:48:22, while her partner, Aaron Dishman was 15th overall in 1:27:00.

Moves are afoot to get him on the Thornbury books as he is currently not attached to any club.

For those who wanted something a little bit different, the Two Tunnels 10k passes through Bath’s Devonshire and Combe Down railway tunnels on an out-and-back course amounting to over 4k being run underground.

Romeo Maddalena took part, finishing 151st in 49:23.

Thornbury RC meet on Thursday evenings at 7pm at Thornbury Leisure Centre.