140 runners turned out for the 5th staging of the Barbury Castle Track 'n' Trail 5 mile run.

It's a tough undulating course around Barbury Castle Country Park on the footpaths and trails, touching on The Ridgeway.

Alex Fisher, running for The Big Adventure and fresh from his previous victory last month at the Barbury Castle Ramparts Run set off hard from the start with a pack of 6 others, all racing up the first Hill to try and win the King of the Hill prize, a much coveted award given to the first person to reach the summit of the first hill , 500 metres from the start.

As the others dropped away, Alex clinched the victory and then went on to win the full race in a time of 30.20 (the first time both prizes have been won by the same person in the mens race).

Following closely was Gary O'Brien, Swindon Harriers who finished second in a time of 30.23 with Heath Bampton also from Swindon Harriers finishing third in a time of 30.38 and also clinching the Veteran Male 40 prize.

In the ladies race, Natalie Burke of Team Bath retained her Queen of the Hill title from last year but was unable to hold onto first position, eventually finishing second in a time of 36.19 with Tamsin Simmonds of Swindon Harriers winning a well paced race in a time of 35.33.

Nikki Weatherley from Almost Athletes finished 3rd in 37.03 also taking the Veteran Ladies 35 prize.

The team prizes of the evening went to Swindon Harriers for the men and to Swindon Striders for the women.

Race organisers Julie & Stephen Goulding were pleased with the turn out and would like to thank all those who helped out with marshalling and timekeeping and to St John Ambulance and Barbury Shooting School.

The evening was rounded off with the prize presentation at the Barbury Shooting School who once again provided an excellent venue for the run, and who's homemade cakes and hot drinks were very popular with runners and spectators alike.

A special mention should also be made to the friendly herd of cows at the finish area who tried to eat our timekeepers!

Grass Roots next races are Back in a Flash 5km at Coate Water on Wednesday 3rd Sept and Swindon 10k on Sunday Nov 22nd. See our website www.grassroots events for further details.

1st Male - Alex Fisher - The Big Adventure 30.20 2nd Male - Gary O'Brien - Swindon Harriers - 30.23 3rd Male - Heath Bampton- Swindon Harriers 30.38

1st Female - Tamsin Simmons - Swindon Harriers - 35.33 2nd Female - Natalie Burke- Team Bath AC 36.19 3rd Female - Nikki Weatherley - Almost Athletes 37.03

Male Vet 40 - Heath Bampton- Swindon Harrier 30.38

Male Vet 50 - Neil Pringle - Swindon Striders - 35.10

Male Vet 60 - Ted Townsend - Marlborough RC- 38.28

Female Vet 35 - Nikki Weatherley - Almost Athletes 37.03

Female Vet 45 - Carole Phillips - Swindon Striders - 39.05

Female Vet 55 - Judith Wilson - TRA - 48.26

Swindon Harriers took the 1st male team prize and Swindon Striders won the Ladies Team