Matt Hitchings(41) from Churchdown, has been a valuable scorer for Severn Athletic Club’s distance teams since joining in May 2021.

He had a memorable debut, a bronze medal in the veterans(over 40) 10 man team which placed third in their category in the July Cotswold 110 Mile Relay. ” A lovely event, I’m looking forward to it this summer”. In his first cross-country season he was in the six scorers for Severn in all four races of the Birmingham League(Div.3), vital for Severn’s third team promotion place. Overall he was 19th of the 374 Division Three runners in the individual rankings.

At Cheltenham Pates grammar school, he ran for the schools track and cross-country teams but prioritised rugby which he played after leaving. In 2013 he started running. “To get fit and help kick heavy smoking”. Starting with the Cheltenham Half Marathon in September he competed in distance events then decided to plunge into club athletics by joining Severn.

His personal bests are 5K- 18:01(2021), 10K- 38:19(2019), 10 Mile- 65:00(2021), Half Marathon- 1:21:35(Reading 2021) & Marathon- 3:06:40(2019). Training mileage 30-40 miles a week. Immediate aim to break 3 hours in the Southampton Marathon April 24th and keep Severn in Division Two in 2022-23.

Pendock 10K: 9 Andy Monro 1/V50 42:18 174 ran.

Severn Bridge 5 Mile: 57 Nicholas Allen 1/V60 37:39, 95 Sam Watts 3/LV40 41:12 & 124 Angela Wixey 3/LV55 44:14 340 ran.

Eastnor Magnificent 7 Mile Trail Race: 162 Angela Wixey LV/55 1:16:13. 219 ran.

Because of the present high covid rates the Tredworth 4.3 Mile Easter Monday Road Race will be re-arranged