Lucy Richens and Lizzie Smith smash their PBs in half marathon

LUCY Richens and Lizzie Smith both have good reason to remember the 23rd Bristol Half Marathon.

While many of the leading runners blamed the windy conditions for their slow times, Richens and Smith both smashed their personal bests around the new-look course.

Richens, who is a member of Southville Running Club, carved four minutes 11secs off her best with a time of 82mins 52secs to place 13th in the women's field.

Westbury Harriers' Smith carved six mins 20secs off her PB with 84:13 in 15th. "I was hoping to run under one hour 25 mins, so I was surprised and delighted to run so well," said Richens.

"I had an exceptionally good day and felt really strong. I certainly wasn't expecting to run that fast."

Richens knew she was on for a good run when she saw her split time after 10k.

"I looked on my watch and the time was quicker than my PB, which I ran in the Bristol 10k (earlier this year)," added Richens. "When I saw the time, I told myself to stay calm.

"I have progressed so much this year I can hardly believe it."

While Richens is fairly new to the sport, Smith is starting to realise the potential she showed as a teenager when she was in the successful Bristol AC girls' squad coached by former Olympian Nick Rose and Harry Clayton.

She dropped out of the sport while at university and then to complete her studies to become a barrister. Now settled back in Bristol, where she works for Clifton-based firm Bobbetts Mackan, Smith admits she is benefiting from stability and consistency to her training.

"I am getting back into it steadily and feel like I am improving," she said. "I have fixed hours now and I am training with Chris Elson, who is an amazing coach, while we have such a supportive group of girls at Westbury.

"My first aim in Bristol was just to get around, but I had a target of one hour 35mins in the back of my mind, so to beat that has given me a lot of confidence. Now I'll keep going this winter, having given up for the past three, and I'll be doing some road races and the occasional cross country for the club."