HELEN FINES paid tribute to her squad as they smashed the course record to win the mixed team category in the Cotswold Way relay.
The Bristol and West AC team covered the 10 stages, comprising 105 miles from Chipping Camden to Bath Abbey, in a time of 12hrs 38mins 48secs to finish fourth overall and carve eight minutes five seconds off the previous record.
“Everyone in the team played their part, whether running or driving the cars from stage to stage and supporting each other,” said Fines. “There was an excellent team spirit.”
Leading performer on the day was Clive Bromhall, who won the penultimate eighth stage from Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton in a stage record of 56:14, clipping an impressive 4mins 42secs off the previous record.
Alec Woods won stage five while there were also wins for Emma Whittaker and Sian Monahan and Mick O’Doherty was runner-up on stage eight.
Fines, who masterminded Bristol’s effort on a long day that started shortly after sunrise, ended the race on a high by finishing second woman and eighth overall on the final stage that finished in front of Bath Abbey.
Bitton Road Runners finished second team overall in the veterans category with Paul Sperrin having their best run to finish third on the final stage.
For Great Western Runners Steve Duddell was fourth on stage four and Mark Gilbertson fifth on stage nine as the club claimed 16th place overall.
