Tredworth Road Race
Simon Fortnam, Severn Athletic Club's vice-captain, became the first runner since Gerald Neely completed a hat-trick in 1987-89 to repeat wins in the 62nd annual Tredworth 4.3-mile road race.This year's race was a repeat of last year's tussle between Fortnam and club-mate Peter Stephens.
The pair tested each other continually over the opening three laps of the four-lap course.
Last year, Fortnam established a commanding lead during the third lap, but this year his task was harder and he finally opened up a small lead with only 1,000 yards to go.
He said: "I had to keep working hard. Peter never gives up and his finishing sprint is usually better, so I needed a lead before the last straight."
Fortnam's tactic only just worked as Stephens kept up the pressure. Only three seconds separated them at the finish - last year it was 17.
Gloucester Athletic Club captain Jeremy Mower improved two places on last year, running a personal best to win the over-40 prize. Last year's third, Andy Hawkins (Severn), was overtaken at halfway and finished fourth.
Two new Severn signings made promising debuts. Seventeen-year-old Alex Moton was fifth, claiming the under-20 prize, after mixing it with the leaders until half way.
The under-17 prize went to Gareth Howells (St Peter's), who overtook pace-setting Nathan Gregory (Longlevens) at three miles.
The first local prize went to ninth placed Mike Waslyk, the first Tredworth resident to secure a top 10 placing.
The ladies' title seemed bound for another Severn debutante, 16-year-old Hannah Jones (Ribston Hall). In her first road race, she led to half-way, where former winner Debbie Southgate (Angels) used her experience of even pace to pass her.
Afterwards, Southgate said: I won a couple of times in the '90s but didn't expect to win again."
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