Wet weather greeted entrants in the 4th annual "Hilly" in and around
Bourton-on-the-water. The Saturday evening Half Marathon attracted a record attendance. With the race being part of the Gloucestershire Road Race series, Tewkesbury AC's Mike Ward and Phil Howells were aiming to collect points to add to their respective season totals.
Ward raced the course for the first time and true to recent form, he excelled again to finish in 1hr 54 minutes. Pleasingly inside his target time and hot on the heels of his main V70 rival. So, second in his category and 185th overall.
Like Ward, Howells was a course virgin. The demanding climbs and descents were of little concern to the V60 man who, only recently returned from racing the ultra distance Comrades Marathon in South Africa. His legs had partly recovered and were able to place him 107th. Howells enjoyed his relatively brief 1hr 41 minute run which placed him 4th in his category. Jon Mansfield was experiencing the "Hilly" for the fourth time. Knowing exactly what to expect, Mansfield still found it tough and especially so after 10 miles. Fortunately for all, the final two miles are pleasantly flat and he was able to hold on to his 12th position and clock 1hr 23 mins.