A FIELD of 89 runners assembled for the annual Rockhampton Fun Run on July 6, a flat 4.1 mile multi terrain course around the local country roads.

This evening race is a firm favourite for all the family, with a post-race BBQ on offer and generated £477 for the local church.

Thornbury runner Rob Cowlard had won the previous three years and was looking to make it four in a row, setting off at a blistering pace.

Fourteen-year-old Westbury runner James Harrod tracked Rob closely for the first mile, followed by the fast improving Nick Williams.

Rob’s recent speed training on the track paid dividends, as he extended his lead to cross the line in 23:44 mins.

Nick ran an even pace to finish in second in 24:40 mins. Former international gymnast and local resident, Chris Child, finished third in 25:01 mins.

After winning the Clevedon Triathlon earlier in the week, Taryn Roberts continued her run of good results by taking top spot in the ladies field by almost three minutes in 10th place overall in a time of 27:32 mins. Finola Watkins was second in 30.15 mins, followed by Lizzie Williams in 30:58 mins.

Other notable performances from Thornbury runners included Nick Langridge (1st MV60, 29 mins), Claire Watt (1st FV40, 31:41 mins) and Janet Gaze (1st FV60, 41:26 mins).

Man Vs Lakes is a marathon event which combines an off road marathon with a devilish array of obstacles.

It includes slides, jumps, rope swings, a floating assault course and a swim in Lake Windemere. If that doesn’t seem hard enough there is 1000m of climbing up the local fells to contend with.

Moray Sloan took up the Man Vs Lakes challenge, describing the experience as “awesome”. Moray finished in 5:38:27 hours in 62nd place overall out of 629 finishers and 15th out of 155 in the veteran age category.

Jim Godden took part in the highly competitive Bitton 5k series on Wednesday night.

Jim celebrated his 55th birthday by finishing in 10th place overall and second MV 50 in a speedy 18:38 mins.

David Palmer and Anne Palmer were out at Pomphrey Hill parkrun on Saturday, finishing in 29:15 mins (183rd) and 34:35 mins (289th and 100th female). Liam Symonds-Barry ran the Gloucester North parkrun for the first time in 23:54 mins.