EVEN without a number of their top runners on the start line at the Downton Half Marathon, a compact group of City of Salisbury athletes enjoyed a day of sparkling performances which quickly dispelled the New Forest’s autumn mist.

Among the senior women, Ruth Thom beat the 100 minute barrier with a strong run that gave her second place in her category, finishing 13 miles just outside her season’s best at the distance in 1 hour 39min 54sec.

But the run of the day came from newly-joined Laura Buchanan, pictured, just a dozen places back and less than three minutes in arrears with an excellent 1.42.30 for third place. Given that the course and its sharp climbs are far from quick, her arrival at the Salisbury club augurs well for further improvements and a rapid impact on the team’s potential during the coming winter campaign.

Kate Mansfield also acquitted herself well, completing the team trio with a steady 1.44.44.

A feature of the men’s event was the closeness of the Salisbury club’s top three on the day. Nick Willetts came out best with 1.30.38, three places ahead of Andy Budgell’s 1.31.47, immediately followed by Clive Smith’s 1.31.48. Fourth team counter was Nick Cooke, who crossed the line in 1.40.52.

Just one other Salisbury runner, Ali Theobald, finished with 2.05.50, placing her well up the full field of 400.

Salisbury Tri Club runners joined their Salisbury counterparts at the race, with Jen Witt, Barry Davis, Egg Cameron, Sharon Duggan, Jonathan Croom, Charlotte Boardman and Jeremy Adlam racing.

Further south at the Hayling Island 10 mile, Tracey Badham clocked 93min 38sec and Judy Flint was not far behind in 94.11.

  • Salisbury Tri Club’s Emma Houghton and James Cooper took part in the Isle of Wight Winter Wight Sportive, while Sally Orange raced the Avon Valley Runners Half Marathon dressed as a pear, raising money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.