RUNNERS in Weston Athletic Club’s Prom Race were surprised to be racing against a high-profile international athlete.

RUNNERS in Weston Athletic Club’s Prom Race were surprised to be racing against a high-profile international athlete.

The coach and husband of Jo Pavey contacted the club to inform them that she would like to compete as part of her ongoing training programme.

Pavey is an international athlete who lives in Devon and has represented GB in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics, along with a number of appearances in world and European competitions and the Commonwealth Games. She is currently training for the New York half-marathon in March and the London Marathon in April.

The runners gave her a huge welcome at the start line and again during the prize giving ceremony at the end. Needless to say, Pavey came first lady and set a new female course record of 26.39.

This was the sixth race of a nine race series. They are held each month from September to May on the third Thursday at 7.30pm. The race is five miles long and involves four lengths of the Weston Promenade.

The latest race had 253 finishers which is the second largest field of runners the club have ever seen.

Results – first three: Matt Ellis (Westbury Harriers) 25.37; Ben Morley (GWR) 25.39; Dan Studley (Westbury Harriers) 25.50. Ladies: Jo Pavey (Exeter Harriers) 26.29; Robyn Golding (Westbury Harriers) 30.33; Sophie Voller (Westbury Harriers) 30.35.

Jo (second left) is pictured with Audrey Butler from Great Western Runners who came 252nd in the race and is a Prom Race regular for many years. Malcolm Gammon, Race Director for Weston Athletic Club’s Prom Race and Ian Carpenter, head coach for Weston AC.