WEST international Tom Russell smashed his personal best to finish third in a high-quality Alsager 5 miles road race yesterday.
The Bristol & West AC runner clocked a very impressive 23mins 43secs, over a minute off his previous set in Weston five years ago when still a teenager, to finish close behind British internationals Nick McCormick and Chris Davies.
The run will be a big boost to Russell, who was left bitterly disappointed with his fourth place in the Midland Cross Country Championships the previous week.
Clubmate and international duathlete Phil Wylie, who took a break from racing and training over Christmas, ran a PB of 24:44 in 20th place from a field of 610 finishers.
Asics Alsager 5 miles road race – men: 1 Nick McCormick (Morpeth) 23:33; 2 Chris Davies (Telford) 23:37; 3 Tom Russell (B&W) 23:43. WEST: 20 Phil Wylie (B&W) 24:44; 37 Matt Withey (Stroud, U20) 26:29; 112 George Robinson (Stroud) 30:01; 117 Nick Holliday (Stroud, M50) 30:06.. 610 finishers
* Bristol & West AC’s Tom Merson retained his Fulfords 5 miles road title in Exmouth in a time of 25mins 11secs, 15 seconds quicker than he ran on his debut twelve months ago.