Athletics Taylor writes her own bit of club history in half-marathon

CHARLOTTE Taylor has written herself into the Bristol & West AC history books with a club record in the half marathon.

- Kevin FAHEY

Taylor's time of 70mins 38secs for third place in the Manchester half marathon last weekend saw her glide past 2012 London Olympic Games marathon runner Claire Hallissey, whose lifetime best and previous club record of 72:02 was set in the Bristol half 15 years ago. Moreover, to further underline the quality of Taylor's run it lifts her to fourth in the South West All-Time Rankings behind five-times Olympian Jo Pavey (68:53), Torbay GB international Andrea Wallace (69:39) and Westbury Harrier Marian Sutton (69:41).

"I am really happy with that," said Taylor, who was also third in the England Championships.

"I knew I was due a personal best after the Cardiff half (seventh in 72:29) the previous weekend when the conditions weren't that good but that time really exceeded my expectations.