GLORIOUS sunshine and cool winds greeted the runners at this year's Gloucester 20 Mile road race.

The 12 Almost Athletes who entered the race started off with some apprehension about the new three-lap route, but they soon slotted into their respective paces and enjoyed the conditions and scenery.

Taking on this race distance for the first time, having run a maximum of 15 miles in training, Anthony Bailey led from the outset and held on to the leading pack to gain sixth place overall in a time of two hours, eight minutes.

His nearest club rival Chris Midgely who came home in 2:22 with eam mates Duncan Mounsor and Marek Wojtaszek two and eight minutes behind him.

Ken Sears pulled off a nine-minute improvement on last year's time, crossing the line in 2:26. Mark Willicott had a comfortable run of 2:31, one minute ahead of Andy Yates and six in front of Phil Withers.

Similar success was enjoyed by Karen Galpin, whose time of 2:37 knocked seven minutes off last year's time to secure her the position of first Gloucestershire LV45 in the race.

Next to complete the new course was John Galpin in 2:47, two minutes in front of his sister-in-law Anne-Marie Willicott. Dave Davey managed a very respectable 2:56

Down South in Seaton, Dave Elliott was the sole Almost Athlete to take on The Grizzly this year – a 20 mile multi-terrain race.

Elliott completed the course in just under four hours, some 14 minutes quicker than last year.

At the Bourton 10K, Anthony Bailey led his team-mates throughout the race and secured 18th position overall with a time of 34.56.

Chris Midgely had a great run to finish in 39.48 and 82nd overall. The third Almost Athlete to cross the line was James Wilkinson in 41.12, closely followed by Ed Collier in 41.24 and Duncan Mounsor who scored a PB of 41.26.

Katie Rose finish as first lady for the club in 43.15, followed by Karen Galpin whose time of 43.53 secured her a PB and the position of second LV45.

BOURTON 10K, OTHER TIMES: Tim Sluman 44.17, Phil Withers 44.22, Evan Stanley 44.25, John Bailey 44.57 , Anne-Marie Willicott 47.02, Alison Hume 52.28, Nicky Perrot 52.42, John Poulton 55.16, Matthew Goody 55.16, Ellen Butt 57.04, Debbie Masding 57.12, Graham Beddis 58.32, Gail Beddis 58.37, Colin Watkins 59.12, Natalie White 59.16, Art Williams 62.04, Debbie Bishop 62.07.