THORNBURY Running Club’s Mike Willis showed he is still on good form, finishing first in his MV60 category and second for the club in the cross country race on Saturday.
The race around a hilly Malvern Common was the second of four in the Gloucester League, and following only six days after many regular competitors had completed a half or a full marathon, was a test for legs not fully recovered.
Against strong and young opposition, Andi Davies ran well to finish the 9.6km course in 39.53 minutes, in 37th place, leading for the club from start to finish.
The trio of Mike Willis, Rob Hopkins and Paul Thomas held together in the early stages, with Willis, the non-marathoner of the three, taking 102nd place in 44.06minutes, Hopkins not far behind (104th; 44.49) and Thomas, having worked on his hills finding it easier, though only six seconds quicker than last year, 128th; 47.04 minutes. Nick Langridge ran a good, steady race as usual to finish in 143rd place, 48.37minutes, while Anthony Yates who last year was just starting the transition from track to muddy field, improved by over 10 minutes with 49:41 in 151st place.
Kevin Cundy (184th; 55.54minutes) who is in the process of that same transition ran a strong third lap to hold off Jeremy Clothier (186th; 57.33minutes).
The positions placed the Thornbury Team in 12th place, their masters team, which includes all bar youngster Yates, in 10th.
The women had been unable to enter a full team with just regulars Ros Rowland and Judy Mills taking on the 6.5km, two-lap course. 
Both improved on their 2014 times, with Rowland 3rd in the LV50 category in 41st place; 32.02minutes and Mills, strong on the hills and over the rougher ground but losing the places she had gained on downhills, 112th in 38.39minutes.
For Hallowe’en, Southville Running Club held their third Nightingale Nightmare, a 10k off-road race starting from Ashton Park School and taking-in some stiff hills. 
Fancy dress was encouraged, so Rebecca Dunsford and Becky Cooper were excused from wearing club vests. 
The results of the Nightingale Nightmare saw Cooper finish in one hour 20.35 minutes and Dunsford one hour 20.42 minutes.
l At Saturday's parkruns, Jack Grudgings clocked 20.35minutes at Chipping Sodbury, where Anne Palmer completed the 5km course in 30.44. 
Chris Dawes was first Thornbury man home at Little Stoke, in 19.40 while Richard Phillips in 21.42 showed son Ross (23.04) how it should be done. Neil Hawkesford ran 23.37minutes.
Entries are filling fast for Thornbury Running Club’s Riverbank Rollick, on Sunday January 17 at 11am. As in previous years, it is expected to be a sell-out, with no entries available on the day. Details of this and all Thornbury Running Club activities can be found at thornburyrunningclub.co.uk