THE MARK of a good race is that the 'also-rans' enjoy the experience as much as the winners, and that is what Thornbury Running Club hoped to achieve with the Riverbank Rollick, held on Sunday.

Entries sold out several weeks before race-day, and 353 runners completed the challenging hilly, muddy, nine-mile course.

The forecast had not been good, but after early morning rain it remained dry overhead, although there were still puddles and mud underfoot. Those who hadn't experienced it before looked bemused when seasoned Rolllickers remarked that the course was uncommonly dry.

The race was dominated by Westbury Harriers, taking the first three places. Scott Campbell (57.52minutes) finished with a 2-minute lead over David Hobbs (59.49minutes) who was also first in the Vet45-49 age group. Alex Hamblin (one hour and 25seconds) just stayed ahead of Brecon's Mike Pfeiffer (one hour and 33seconds) who was the Vet50-54 winner.

First lady was Bitton's Lynette Porter, 21st overall in a time of one hour 8.54minutes and easily first in the VF50-54 category. Second was Niki Morgan of Chepstow Harriers (one hour 10.31minutes), 31st, and 1st in the 45-49 category and third from Les Croupiers, Cardiff, Claire Bruce (55th in one hour 14.08minutes.)

With the help of David George in 53rd place Westbury Harriers took the men's team prize, with Thornbury not far behind thanks to great running from Rob Cowlard (7th in one hour 3.23minutes and second Vet40-44), Jim Godden (12th in one hour 6.08minutes and second Vet50-54), Matt Johnstone (17th in one hour 6.54minutes) and Rob Hopkins (28th in one hour 10minutes).

Thornbury ladies were represented by Selina Slater (229th in one hour 38.26minutes) and, just behind, Judy Mills (231st in one hour 38.43minutes and third VF60-64).

The Ladies Team winners were Les Croupiers, from Cardiff comprising , Claire Bruce, Carol Rees (97th, one hour 20.13minutes) and Julie Scholey (113th, one hour 23.21minutes).

Runners were entertained by a variety of costumes as the marshals had been asked to dress for the occasion.

On the riverbank Mr Blobby was getting lots of hugs from the ladies while Cap'n Jack Sparrow with cutlass hurried competitors on their way past St Arilda's church.

Perhaps there was little wind, even on the exposed riverbank, and the mud was less deep than usual, so that in the main shoes stayed on feet, but there were plenty of spills on cambered, slippery paths.

Feet would be rinsed in the stream along which all competitors had to run close to the finish, but many had mud in places the water didn't reach.

For those concerned about times, chip timing was used for the first time for this race, with FullOnSport having the results online before the tents and tea-urn were packed away.

Especially popular, as well as the tea and cakes, were the new medals, with many people promising to come back on July and then again in September in order to collect the set.

Tea, coffee and cake was free for those taking part, although donations were requested and happily given for the Club's annual charity, the Great Western Air Ambulance, who will also reeive a donation from the Club.

Comments from runners were favourable, and enthusiastic and the runners at the back could not praise enough the tail runners Nancy Harding and John Grimsey for their support and encouragement. Those wanting to join Thornbury for their next, less muddy run must put Thursday 13 July on their calendars, the date of the Thornbury 10k evening race.

Meanwhile, on January 7, Rob Hopkins found himself another race with a difference; the Fan Dance, historically part of the SAS selection procedure. It's name comes from the race location as the route climbs Pen-y-Fan to the summit, then after a descent of Jacob's Ladder returns to the summit and back to the start.

The race is 15 miles in length, and Hopkins finished in 7th place, in a time of two hours and 40minutes.

With few opportunities to run on Sunday, when all hands and legs were needed for marshalling the Rollick, more parkrunners might have been expected from the Club, on a beautiful cold bright morning.

The mud of Wotton's course was mostly still frozen, allowing for quicker runs from both Gary Slater who was 2nd to finish in 20.53minutes and Judy Mills, first in the LV60-64 age group in 28.23minutes.

Slater's time was faster than those Chipping Sodbury runners who had a firm surface on which to run: Richard Jackson finished in 21.30minutes, Kevin Arnold in 21.43minutes and Chris Dawes in 21.57minutes.

David Palmer in 28.11minutes and wife Anne Palmer in 33.07 were both first in their age categories.