Pilot Inn 10 mile Road Race
Gary Hope of Severn AC is the new Gloucestershire 10 mile road race champion.
He had to beat off the challenge of pre-race favourite Dave Roper (Cheltenham) in the event held from the Pilot Inn in Hardwicke.
From the start Hope did most of the leading with Roper tucked in behind. The decisive break came at seven miles when Hope opened up a small lead and pulled away to win by 300 metres.
Afterwards he said "That was the fiercest race I've had for a long time. Dave kept up with my earlier efforts so I waited for the long ascents."
Hope's time of 54.50 was the third best ever in the event, he won it in 55.39 in 2006.
Wendy Nicholls (Cirencester) was pleased with her third place overall in a personal best of 57.45, beating the previous event record of 65.28 by a large margin.
Dave Lander (Severn) was fourth moving up from Seventh at halfway. Dave Gresswell (Gloucester) ran with Nicholls early on but was caught by Lander with two miles left.
Dave Wright (Cirencester) took the over 50s title in 60.48, his first county championship win.
Second Lady, Jo Fletcher (Severn) ran 64.40 to beat her 2007 winning time by 1.44 minutes.
Severn AC won the men's team event with Alex Hope in eighth, Bill Griffiths 10th, Neil Taylor 13th and Martin Cleverley 14th.
Gloucester AC won the ladies team race.
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