CHARD Road Runners were in action in smaller numbers this weekend, with runners at the local Buckland Bolt and Bath Bases Festival of Running 10k.

First off, with the multi-terrain and first running of the Buckland Bolt, setting off from the Cricket Field in Buckland St Mary it was a fast early section.

Matt Baker and Gary Wheaton pushed hard as the route headed down through the village to take on the bridleways and some early hills.

With the halfway mark being passed, Baker made good progress in his goal to run a sub-60-minute 10k in tough conditions.

Wheaton was finding the heat taking its toll but, with his head up, he was pushing to gain places.

With the last push for the line, Baker crossed in 58m 12s, smashing his targeted time.

With a few minutes separating them, Gary Wheaton was the next CRR to cross in 1h 5m 5s.

Next for CRRs was a trip to Bath for Nina Wagstaff, in the Bath Festival of Running 10k.

With the heat around the Bath University Campus making running a real challenge, Wagstaff was testing the waters, having been injured with an Achilles issue.

And so the 10k option would be a great test of her fitness.

This multi-terrain race set off at a strong pace with Wagstaff keeping good pace with the front runners.

On the first of the hills, Wagstaff was able to pass a few of the early leaders and, by the end of the first of the two-lap route, she had moved into the top 10 of a very competitive field.

Topping the last of the hills, Wagstaff gave a last push coming back up to the finish in 49m 10s – first female and 4th out of 110.

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Chard & Ilminster News:

MUD: Chard Crew ahead of the 5k Muddy Run.

ON Saturday, July 21, 16 members of Chard Crew Running Club took part in the Cancer Research 5k Muddy Run.

This run was a obstacle course with lots of mud involved, so by the end of the course all participants were coated from head to toe.

The club members who took part were: Lucy Hodson, Janice Best, Holly Best, Elekra Best, Bex Barnes, Charlie Venables, Charlene Hedges, Karen Taylor, Cressida Govier, Hanna Pounder, Kerry Bale, Laura Harwood, Ruth Osborne, Laura Hicks, Chelsea Bale and Robyn Osborne.

On Sunday, July 22, Stuart Weech took on the Buckland Bolt 10k.

It was a extremely hot morning with many challenging hills, especially in the heat, and he completed it in 57:57.