WHILST Dursley Running Club’s marathon man Damian Lai took a week off from just running to complete his second Ironman of the year, there were plenty of club athletes following his example and giving it a go on the roads of Gloucestershire and beyond.

Following the Great North Run, the Great Bristol Run took place on Sunday with 14 club athletes on the start line.

Cool conditions with a slight breeze augured well for the runners. Mark Sprigings continued his good run of half marathon form and was first of many Dursley personal bests on the course.

A strong run saw him going under ninety minutes for the first time.

Serial half and full marathoner Neil Parry was second home in a solid 91 minutes, placing 22nd MV50 with Nick Pollard and Garry Strickland coming home third and fourth for the club with only 18 seconds between them.

Garry Strickland ran a two minutes’ personal best, Andy Hara, Charlie Stickland, Emma Keating and Dominque Pemberton also ran personal bests over the distance.

Tracey Strickland and Steve Rugman completing a half marathon for the first time.

Results: Mark Sprigings, 375th , 01:29:46, PB; Neil Parry, 480th , 01:31:27, 22nd MV50, Nick Pollard, 686th , 01:34:43; Garry Strickland, 709th , 01:35:03, PB; Andrew Hara, 972nd , 01:38:02, PB; Caroline Jones, 2184th , 01:48:13, Charlie Strickland, 3608th , 01:57:53; David Saunders, 4151st , 02:01:21, Andrews Eades , 3847, 01:59:12; Dave Halford, 4404th , 02:03:36; Liz Halford, 4405th , 02:03:36; Emma Keating, 5160th , 02:10:27, PB; Dominique Pemberton, 5161st , 02:10:27, PB; Tracey Strickland, 5749th , 02:16:20; Steve Rugman, 5754th , 02:16:24, At Cirencester, Kevin Jackson continued his build up to Stroud, placing first for DRC, 24th overall and fifth MV55, with a good run of just under 42 minutes on what is challenging 10K course.

Nicki Cowle came in under the hour with Jackie Pennington and Diane Core supporting each other around the course.

Whilst at the Worcester City 10K, Terry Cother and Rachael Goatman ran together to complete the course in one hour five minutes and one hour 05:44mins.

Results Kevin Jackson, 24th , 41:57, (5th MV50); Nicola Cowle, 175th , 59:39; Jackie Pennington, 240th , 1:14:50; Diana Gore, 241st , 1:14:51.

Parkrun saw Neil Hodgson fastest again for DRC, placing first overall at the Tees Barrage run.

Peter Chaffer pipped him for highest age grading with 78 per cent at Wotton where he was first DRC runner and fifth overall running a course best in the process, Tony Ball was first home for DRC at Kingsway also with a course best. Other course bests were Annette Heylings, Rachael Goatman, Jo Fearns , Terry Cother and Margaret Badger at Kingsway.

Luke Davis, Nicola Christopher, Veronica Higgins and Carley Heath at Wotton. Parkrun tourists were Diana Gore in jersey and Steve Barnes in Dougnes Cubnezaid nr Bordeaux, both guaranteeing that they would be first home for DRC Tuesday night had seen the last in the Handicap race series with a three way tie for first place between Ben Houghton, Trish Mansell and Becky Whatling, with fastest male and female runners on the night and over the 4 race series being Mike Crompton and Robyn Jackson, who completed the course in 20:16 and 21:54 respectively (provisional times).