SW Inter-Counties 10k Road Race, Chippenham, 9th November 2008

On a busy weekend of racing with the Cheddar half marathon and the Gwent League there was also the chance of representing Somerset in the South West Inter-Counties 10k road race at Chippenham. In the mens team, the chosen team of 6, with 4 to count, included two Wells City Harriers - Matthew Lewis and Jon Gilling. Unfortunately, there was only one Somerset women for the ladies team, our own Anna Lewis.

Conditions were very good and we must have had a window in otherwise horrible weather over the weekend. The course proved to be quite taxing with a good number of hills. Bit of a surprise for some as Runner's World described it just as a rural race.

The front of the race looked quite sharp, what you would hope for in an inter-counties race and all six Somerset runners were lagging behind. Our mission was to try and improve on last years results and not come last! Matt held on well to his position with Jon doing his usual slow-ish start and working up the field.

But despite all of the six Somerset runners finishing in the top 40, we were quite literally outclassed by the other counties. Devon won with 4 finishing in the top 6!

Somerset team result

22 Jon Gilling 36:00 Wells City Harriers

23 Gerry Hogg 36:16 South West Vets

27 Mark Lewis 36:43 Running Forever (Taunton)

30 Matthew Lewis 37:03 Wells City Harriers

36 Luke Scott 37:28 Taunton AC

38 Tom Mellor 37:33 Taunton AC

To be competitive in this race next year, we need the big guns out!

Anna ran an excellent race, finishing in 39:29 and sixth overall. Shame we didn't have a complete team - maybe next year.