THE Cardiff Half Marathon was hosting the Welsh Half Marathon Championships for the first time this year.

A new, faster course had been created by the organisers and six Clevedon Athletic Club members broke their personal best times.

James Rodgers opened the club account with an astonishing finishing time of just 1.13.08 in 31st place. Next in was Baaba Sow, finishing in 78th place overall and a time of 1.17.04. Following Baaba closely was Andy Shaw, continuing his recent strong form with an identical chip finishing time of 1.17.04 in 80th place.

The next man home was another in-form runner, Richard Smith, who recorded 1.17.58 in 108th place overall. Closely following in Richard in 109th place was Simon Hancock in a time of 1.18.05 (PB). The final runner home was Mark Templer, who finished in 231st place overall and a time of 1.22.39.

Dave Hoddell ran an excellent marathon in Mallorca and finished in a very good time of 3.16.18. He was 86th overall and won his age group outright.

To join in with the success of Clevedon AC, come to a training session see if you like it. Meet at 7pm in the Strode Sports Centre (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Visit the club website for further details and contacts: www.clevedon ac.co.uk

? CLEVEDON athletes Helen Ball and Kate George went to Chippenham to run in the Marshfield Mudlark, an 11k multi-terrain race.

Kate ran a stormer of a race and won the ladies prize with a time of 53.36 (18th place overall). Helen finished in a time of 65.34 (71st overall).

James Rodgers took first place in the Burnham Esplanade Winter 5K after a sprint finish in the first of a six-series race.

In the Gloucester League Cross Country at Guiting Power in the Costwolds, Jasmin Emery was fifth in the Under-13 girls and Cameron Coetzee ninth in the Under-17 boys.

The ladies were headed by Viv McConnell (12th) in 26.14, closely followed by Kate George (16th) 26.31 and Kate Britten (19th) 26.40 (2nd V35). Helen Ball in 50th (30.15) brought the club home in first place in the senior competition and third in the vets.

In the men’s race, Clive Richards managed to lead the team home (34th) in 34.46, followed by Paul Bird (39th) 34.54. Coach Steve Hollier finished in 57th place (36.10) and also securing 1st V60.

Stuart Hancock was 75th (37.04), Mike Richards ( 90th) 38.27, Kev Neads (127th) 40.32 and Mike Andrews finished in 132nd with a time of 41.12. Marius Coetzee secured 144th place (42.31) and Malcolm Roberts was 146th in a time of 42.35.

To join Clevedon AC, come to a training session. Meet at 7pm in the Strode Sports Centre (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or see the club website for further details and contacts: www.clevedonac.co.uk