WHEN Mary Clements from Harnham first joined Salisbury running club in her early 50’s, she had no idea she would still be as keen on running 20 years later, writes JOHN RUSKIN.

Still less did she expect to be one of the growing number of running families now with three generations regularly racing for the same club.

Mary, 72 years young, continues to don the blue vest of City of Salisbury athletics and running club to compete in road, cross country and parkrun events all over the south. Earlier this winter she took top place in her age category at the Hampshire League’s Victory 5mile road race in Portsmouth.

“Being able to keep on running and taking part in racing with the club is hugely enjoyable,” said Mary, “and sharing that with the family means it’s even better.”

Next month her daughter Katie will start alongside her at the club’s Salisbury 10mile road race in the Woodford Valley, where granddaughter Lilli will be chief supporter. Katie (39), will then follow in her Mum’s footsteps running the London marathon.

Lilli (10) too has been part of the club for more than two years and after making new friends in the sport has just moved up to middle-distance training for juniors at the Five Rivers track, recently completing every fixture in the season’s cross country league along with Katie and Mary. The highly successful Salisbury club has over 450 members aged from 8 to 80 plus, a key part of the sport’s booming popularity in the area.

In one of the few road races not cancelled because of the weekend storms, James Ballard took a well-earned seventh place overall and first place in his age group at the Tenterden 5 mile where he clocked a fine 34min 58sec.