Weston Athletic Club members took part in two races over the festive period.

A HARDY bunch of Weston Athletic Club runners took on two races over the festive period, in very different conditions.

Glorious sunshine set the scene for the traditional Boxing Day four-mile race in Clevedon. The first three males to finish were Kieron Summers in 23.15, Jamie Tottle in 24.07 and Steve Kibblewhite in 25.21, who also recorded a new personal best time for the distance.

The first three club females over the line were Nia Davies in 30 minutes dead, followed by Pam Withers in 30.56 and Mary Oaten in 32.26.

Steph Shute, Andy Chadburn, Nick Cook, John Oaten and Barry Walker also recorded personal best times at the race.

The weather could not have been much worse for the runners who took on the annual New Year’s Day Hangover 10k organised by the club in Kewstoke. Strong winds and heavy rain persisted throughout to add to the challenge.

It was a close-run race for the first three Weston men to complete the windswept soggy course. Pete Clark was first in 37.46, Matt Huxtable was next in 38.12, and Kieron Summers was third, just five seconds behind.

Niki Fulstow was first Weston woman to finish in 47.41, followed by Pam Withers in 50.03 and Steph Shute in 53.07.

Although the conditions were far from ideal, a number of club members still managed to come away with new personal best times, either for the race or the distance, proving that the festive indulgences have not taken their toll too badly.

Edel Robbins, Vanessa Andrews, Steph Shute, Nick Cook, Steve Kibblewhite, Iain Prideaux and Mike Vowles should all be pleased with their start to the new year.

The club’s next event is the Weston prom run at 7.30pm on January 23 with registration beforehand in the Pavilion Bar, Knightstone Road.

The club also welcomes junior runners to take part in the free one-mile run starting at 6.45pm, before each of the main prom runs. The minimum age for entry to the race is seven.

New members are always welcome at the club and more information about membership, race entries and dates for all the club’s future events are available from www.westonac.co.uk