Cheddar Running Club

The Bath Half Marathon started in chilly weather custom-made for the starter of the race – Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams.

But the cool temperatures seemed to inspire those running in Cheddar Running Club's distinctive yellow strip as four of the six set new personal best times.

The first runner home for the club was Jo Burke, who sliced six minutes off her previous best time – also at Bath – coming in at 1 hour 35 minutes, one of the best times set by a Cheddar runner this season.

Vet 55 Phil Paton, in 1:43, was the second team member home, while Karen Graves was the second lady. Her time of 1:46 was also a PB and she just pipped Jill Wring to the line.

Sue Wivell recorded a PB of 2:07, while V60 lady Christine Belcher came home in 2:25.

Meanwhile, on the Dorset coast near Seaton, four intrepid members were taking part in what is recognised in running circles as one of the toughest races in the country: the aptly-named Grizzly.

Apart from being 20 miles in length, the testing off-road race includes running through streams, several miles on pebble beaches and a total of more than 6,000ft of climbing.

Some 1,500 people completed the race, with Shane Roach recording 3 hours 24 minutes to secure 243rd place. Five minutes behind in 3:29 was V55 Jim Scott, in 295th place. First lady home for the club was V50 Sara Stobart (833rd) with an excellent 4:07, while fellow Vet 50 Alison Robinson (1193rd) completed the line-up with 4:38.

Cheddar Running Club has two club evenings, Tuesday and Thursday, meeting at Kings Leisure Club at 6.50pm. All standards of runners and joggers welcomed.