OVER THE HILLS – Sunday 6th November 2016

Avon Valley Runners held their iconic 20th Over the Hills race this Sunday. Of the 295 starters we had 12 Hot Chilli entrants. ATHLOS had 2 runners including late entrant Will Crudgington (no 337), who went and won the race!

This popular race is in aid of Alzheimers Support, and was marshalled by AVR and Trowbridge Lions.

With a light but chilly northerly wind (8 degs C), in the autumnal sunshine the course was reasonably dry, but had the right amounts of mud and slippery surfaces to test all the runners. Crucially the Frome river was fordable at Iford Manor and enjoyed by all the competitors.
Starting ‘on the rocket’ from the iconic West Barn, the 12-kilometre course took in Barton Farm Country Park, joining the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath at Avoncliff. After that the route ran the Avon river meadows, over the Freshford Inn Bridge, up and down hill past Sparkford Mill, up hill to the A36 layby Drinks Station through Friary Wood, back down again through the woods, and across the Iford Manor meadows.
Fording at ‘Iford’, the route went up hill through the Iford Manor grounds, back in via Upper Westwood, down into Avoncliff, and finally flying back in along the canal towpath to the finish.
The course record (44:27) is not broken, because the course is slower again by going out via Barton Farm Country Park; this after a break of a couple of years.

Results:

Full results are at: Avon Valley Runners OtH 2016.

Men:

1st – 45:27  – Will Crudgington (337) – ATHLOS Triathlon Club
2nd – 46:04 – Max Hazell – Jackpot Racing
3rd – 47:01 – Stuart Padget – Chippenham Harriers

Ladies:
1st – 49:54 – Lizzie Wraith – Team Bath Athletics Club
2nd – 52:05 – Elle Twentyman
3rd – 52:09 – Clare Prosser – Wells City Harriers

Our results:

DEKA Sports of Frome, who are supporting the BIG T 2017, were in attendance and sponsored category prizes and spot prizes.

Subject to permits Avon Valley Runners plan to run the next Over the Hills on Sunday 5^th November 2017; starting at 10 am.