Star man Heald in Cotswold ultra win (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Star man Heald in Cotswold ultra win

8:30am Friday 8th February 2013 in Sport

TWENTY-two hardy runners took on Cotswold Running’s Donnington Way 105.

The 105-kilometre circuit along footpaths and bridleways, starting from the Black Bear Inn in Moretonin- Marsh at 7.30am, provided a big challenge to the tough ultra-marathoners.

The leaders hoped to complete the race in less than 11 hours in fine weather but the recent rain and snow made for difficult conditions underfoot with knee-deep mud and sodden fields.

Every runner completed at least 30 miles and Malvern’s Bruce Moore built a 20- minute advantage in front by the second stop at Snowshill.

The mud and steep hills between Broadway and Snowshill offered the first true challenge before a long road section to Kineton.

The path through to Naunton and Bourton-on-the- Water included some of the worst footing and, by the 38- mile point at Great Barrington, light was fading.

Runners struggled, with their torches offering the only light, and some stopped at the Lower Swell and Longborough checkpoints as the terrain took its toll.

Eight runners finished but Moore lost the lead to Peter Heald, of Solihull, who won in 13 hours and three minutes.

Moore crossed 17 minutes later and women’s winner Karen Hathaway in 14.10 before the race was completed at just after 11pm.