CITY of Salisbury athletes knew they had performed well against more than thirty other clubs from across the South contesting the dozen tough events of Hampshire Road Race League. From the official results just published it becomes clear they have enjoyed their best ever season, writes JOHN RUSKIN.

Stuart Holloway is confirmed as the men’s worthy individual champion for 2018-19 and Ruth Thom also secured a fine podium place with third in the ladies’ individual series.

Richard Davidson took tenth in the men’s table.

These solo honours apart, it was in the team results that the Salisbury club truly showed strength in depth, a reflection of the big surge in recently-joined members who have taken to racing.

Leading the way, the ladies A team came top of their table and will now be promoted into the Hampshire League’s top flight next season.

The men’s A team are already in division one following their promotion last year, and they did well to take fifth spot against the higher standards of competition.

In the men’s B table, Salisbury men finished fourth and the C team were top of their table, while the ladies’ B and C teams both claimed good third places.

During the league season overall, the Salisbury club averaged 45 finishers in every race – 26 male, 19 female – far more than most of its rivals and numbers that would have been unthinkable just three seasons ago.

Jason Bennett was however the club’s sole representative at the hilly Sturminster Newton half marathon where he was timed at 102min 16sec.