IT must be spring, with marathon and half marathon choices in abundance for distance runners.

On March 20, Thornbury Running Club's Kevin Arnold took part in the Fleet Half Marathon (Hampshire) which includes the Army Half-Marathon Championships.

In the Army race, he was 199th in a time of one hour 42.30 minutes, a minute quicker than last year but still looking for the form which saw him almost ten minutes faster five years ago.

On Easter Monday, Ros Rowland was across the Severn Bridge to take on the Rogue Runs' Gilwern Grunt near Blaenavon.

This 7.5 mile race has 460m of ascent amidst stunning scenery. Rowland, still very much on form, was first in the LV50 category in a time of one hour 21.06 minutes, her achievement more important to her than the bottle of wine which the non-drinker received as a prize.

Romeo Maddalena was the sole club representative at the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, completing the 13.1 mile course in two hours 15.20 minutes, but there were twice as many at the Taunton Marathon where experienced marathon man Neil Roff finished in four hours 26.28 minutes, just over a minute ahead of Chris Dawes, four hours 27.31 minutes.

Sunday also saw the first duathlon of the year at Tockington Manor, and the return to racing of one of Thornbury Running Club's stalwarts, Graham Bishop.

The overall winner, born in 1971, finished in 40.28 minutes, and the first lady, born 1985 44.42 minutes.

There were forty finishers with Bishop at 37th in a time of one hour 8.42 minutes.

Six finishers were born in the 1950s, none in the 1940s.

Then, in the 1930s, there was our Thornbury man. One wonders if the race winner will still be competing in the year 2047.

The club's parkrunners were all at Little Stoke on Saturday with Chris Dawes first to finish the 5k course in a time of 20.25 minutes, only just in front of Paul Thomas in 20.29 minutes. Richard Phillips was 3rd in his age category in 21.06 minutes with Kevin Arnold following in 22.20 minutes.

Karen Carr had a steady run well below her best in 31.23 minutes, but finishing alongside a friend who was running the course for the first time.

Thornbury Running Club meets on Thursday evenings for a run of six-or-so miles, in groups at various speeds.

New members are always welcome but the committee recognises that not all who would like to take part can easily run the miles that are covered on Thursday club nights.

Because of that, a new beginners' group is starting at 7pm on Tuesday next week where, over four weeks, under the guidance of a qualified coach, participants can build-up to a distance of 5k (3.1 miles).

After that, a 5k group run will be organised weekly on Tuesdays.

For more details contact Ros Rowland at rosinacatering@blueyonder.co.ukcom or see details at www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/?page_id=14289 (the ''Training' tab).