NEARLY 200 runners, joggers and walkers turned out for the 175th weekly Chippenham fields parkrun on Saturday, as the free 5k event continues to thrive despite the wet weather.

Parkrun tourist Joe Gillett of Great Western Runners headed a competive field home, splashing through the puddles to just squeeze under the 20-minute mark by four seconds, with just over two minutes covering the first 10 home in the 188-strong field.

Only14 seconds back was Aidan Walters, followed by GWR's Ben Smith another 15 seconds behind, with Huw Evans fourth in 20.49.

Matthew Forde was fifth in 20.59, pursued by Calum Kinloch of Cambridge University Hare & Hounds in 21.04, Steve Rooke of Ledbury Harriers in 21.11, Oliver Nottidge in 21.48, Ben Hamilton in 21.49 and rounding out the top 10, fastest woman Lucinda Lumley of MonRoss Trailblazers in 21.57.

Spirit of Monmouth's Toni Merola impressed as fastest over-60 in 11th (22.15) with first junior home Archie Alcock just a place and two seconds behind.

Second woman home in 17th was Stephanie Loveland in 23.35, followed by Samantha Walters in 26.01.

Given the testing conditions, PBs were at a premium, but U19 Hannah Jones (28.13), over-60 Stuart Wheeler (30.14) and over-45 Marianne Shirley (32.42) achieved them.

Other notable times included Ledbury over-60 Andy Crawshaw (23.19), over-60 woman Carol Oswell (26.33), Wye Valley Runners over-65 James Vidler (28.22), over-70 Phil Butler (29.41), over-65 woman Karen Wheeler (31.14), over-70 woman Jane Powell (38.01), over-75 David Haworth (39.26) and evergreen Chepstow Harrier over-85 Syd Wheeler (56.08).

The run starts every week at 9am at the Sports Ground. See www.parkrun.org.uk/chippenhamplayingfields to get involved.