The 2026 Great Western Runners Towpath Series got underway in style on Friday evening as a record-breaking 207 runners lined up for Race 1 along the Avon towpath.
The impressive turnout marks the largest attendance in the recent history of the Towpath Series, creating a fantastic atmosphere and setting the tone for what promises to be another memorable summer of racing.
At the sharp end of the field, Jamie Williamson (Bristol & West AC) took the men’s victory in a superb time of 33:41, leading home a strong Bristol & West contingent. Rob Farley (Avon Tempo) finished second in 34:54, while Fraser Roach (Bristol & West AC) completed the men’s podium just a second later in 34:55.
Men’s Top Three
- Jamie Williamson (Bristol & West AC) – 33:41
- Rob Farley (Avon Tempo) – 34:54
- Fraser Roach (Bristol & West AC) – 34:55
In the women’s race, Chelsea Creak (Bristol & West AC) produced an outstanding performance to claim victory in 36:47 and finish well inside the overall top ten. Penny Guess (Southville Running Club) secured second place in 40:44, with Marie Monaghan (Bristol & West AC) taking third in 40:48.
Women’s Top Three
- Chelsea Creak (Bristol & West AC) – 36:47
- Penny Guess (Southville Running Club) – 40:44
- Marie Monaghan (Bristol & West AC) – 40:48
For the full results listing, please click here.
The ever-popular Mob Match once again provided fierce competition between the region’s clubs. Every place mattered, with the scores determined by each club’s first fifteen finishers.
After a closely fought battle, Bristol & West AC edged out Southville Running Club by just 59 points, demonstrating how important every runner was to their team’s success. Westbury Harriers secured third place, while Bitton Road Runners and Portishead Running Club completed the top five.
Mob Match Standings
- Bristol & West AC – 2,756
- Southville Running Club – 2,697
- Westbury Harriers – 1,966
- Bitton Road Runners – 1,762
- Portishead Running Club – 1,632
- Great Western Runners – 654
- Avon Tempo – 204
- Tavistock AC – 200
- TACH – 175
- Best Athletics – 96
- Staple Hill Runners – 57
- GoodGym Bristol – 54
- Emersons Green Running Club – 15
- Bridgwater Hash House Harriers – 6
- Northampton Road Runners – 1
For the full team results please click here.
The evening wasn’t entirely without incident, with a few runners finding themselves unexpectedly acquainted with the towpath surface. Thankfully, the bumps and scrapes were minor, and fellow competitors, marshals and volunteers were quick to offer help. It was a reminder that while the racing can be competitive, the spirit of the local running community remains one of support and camaraderie.
The racing wasn’t the only attraction on offer. After the finish, runners gathered for the now-famous free Towpath Series raffle, with an eclectic collection of prizes up for grabs. The undisputed star prize was the coveted giant Toblerone, which attracted almost as much attention as the race itself. Also on offer were bottles from celebrity wine ranges, including selections associated with Gordon Ramsay and Kylie Minogue, ensuring plenty of excitement long after the final runner had crossed the line. For some, the raffle draw proved every bit as competitive as the race!
A huge thank you goes to all of the volunteers, marshals, timekeepers and organisers who made the event possible. Their hard work behind the scenes ensured another successful evening and helped deliver a record-breaking event for the series.
A big thank you to Oscar for doing some media for us and taking the all important race pictures, which can be found here. If you need any media for your races then get in touch with him at @oscarprince_media on instagram,
Congratulations to all 207 finishers who made history by taking part in the biggest Towpath Series race to date.
We’ll see you on the start line for Race 2!
