WAYNE Loveridge finished first out of 169 runners who took part in the chilly coastal half marathon around Portland in Dorset last weekend.

The Chard Road Runners member was quickly among the frontrunners heading up the steep climb up onto the Isle, and settling into his stride he followed the coastal path with the wind making the already freezing temperatures feel even colder.

The 7.5-mile marker was the turning point for Loveridge, as he took the lead, and with the steep downhill coming up he had to take a leap of faith that the ground conditions would keep him upright.

Entering into the last 100 metres, Loveridge could finally settle and sprint to the finishing tape for a fantastic first place, in a time of 1h 33m 34s.

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MORE Chard Road Runners were off to Dorset this weekend for the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon.

Setting out from Bishops Caurdel, Matt Baker and Stevie Potter led Chard Road Runners out on a very cold but dry morning, followed by James Musselwhite, Claire Gibbs and Helen Baxter.

Potter pulled forward of Baker but he was up for a chase, with an aim to get home under the two-hour mark.

Both Potter and Baker managed that, as the first two CRRs to finish.

Chard & Ilminster News:

CHILLY RACE: Chard Road Runners at the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon (from left) - Helen Baxter, Stevie Potter, Claire Gibbs, James Musselwhite. Not in photo - Matt Baker.

Musselwhite soon left Gibbs and Baxter behind, as he got on with chasing last year’s time, but sadly the headwind denied him by a minute.

Gibbs, suffering with a foot problem, told Baxter to go on alone, which she did but struggled with motivation in the icy wind.

Gibbs, kept motivated with visions of crossing the finish line, completed the course and was glad to get a nice warm cup of tea inside her.

Results
Stevie Potter 137/395 - 1h 42m 00s
Matt Baker - 271/395 - 1h 57m 32s
James Musselwhite - 305/395 - 2h 02m 37s
Helen Baxter - 376/395 - 2h 22m 47s
Clare Gibbs - 392/395 - 2h 50m 12s