CITY of Salisbury cross country veteran runners team are poised to take either top or second spot in the Hampshire League division two championship after another good performance by the club in freezing conditions at Rowlands Castle.

Ian Shelley led the charge, taking 56th place overall to finish ahead of Ed O’Gorman in 65th, with Kevin Tilley 74th, Rithy Hy 93rd, Richard Larcombe 130th, Martin Phillips 138th and Jonathan Kershaw 142nd. Their efforts mean Salisbury go equal top of the table with Reading Roadrunners, one last fixture remaining.

Highest-placed non-veteran Salisbury athlete on the day was Stuart Holloway, who took a creditable 13th overall among a large field of cross country specialists and with Andy Holme 119th Salisbury go third in their league table.

Nile Battey was 16th in the under 15s, Fabrice Webb 21st in the under 17s and Louise Webb 22nd in the under 15s girls. In the ladies’ race, Ali Sloane and Tash Mundell were the only Salisbury runners and finished 67th and 73rd.

Meanwhile on the road, Aaron Wilson continued his build up for the Tokyo marathon at the end of February, clipping more than a minute off his 10k personal best at Chessington. He clocked a rapid 33min 32sec for a notable fourth place behind international distance star Scott Overall to pave the way for the big 26 miler to come.