MAYOR of Thornbury Helen Harrison, the two race directors, Ros Rowland and Kevin Cundy, and a small army of volunteers from Thornbury Running Club ensured the 2017 Thornbury 10k was another successful event with some high-quality racing.

No doubt adding to the appeal for the 309 runners who completed the race was the opportunity to win the second piece of the highly-sought after three-piece medal, which is awarded after each of Thornbury Running Club’s three main races.

Ciaran McQuade from Bristol and West was back to defend his crown and make it three in a row.

In the end, this was probably the easiest of his three wins as he was over three minutes ahead of the next runner in a time of 35:41 mins.

His fellow Bristol and West colleague, Naomi Aylwin, won the ladies race and finished tenth overall in 42:11 mins.

First Thornbury runner was Nick Williams in 39:12 mins in a highly creditable third place overall.

He was followed by Chris Gage who also dipped under 40 mins in 39:46 mins in seventh place Nick Langridge was first in the MV65 age category and 21st overall in 43:23 mins, over nine minutes ahead of his next competitor.

Clare Watt won the FV50 age category and finished 56th overall in 47:48 mins. Along with Clare, Lizzie Ormerod (58th overall, 47:55 mins) and Alison Dyson (108th overall, 51:49 mins) won the ladies team prize.

Other Thornbury results included Sean Underwood 32nd overall 45:31 mins, Maite Roche 123rd 52:53 mins, Cathy Watkins 222nd 1:00:37 mins, Suzy Cundy 224th 1:00:44 and Magda Johnson 274th 1:06:27.

Entries are filling fast for the next Thornbury Open race, the Oldbury Power 10-miler on Sunday September 3.

This would be a great warm up for anyone taking part in the Bristol Half Marathon three weeks later.