The Guy Fawkes 5 2024

This year’s Guy Fawkes 5 race saw a new record number of competitors – 434 runners crossed the Walton Cardiff finish line.

The start list included some big local names in running circles. With previous winners and defending champions looking to consolidate their tiles.

In the race for the top female, defending champion Nikki Juniper (Worcestershire), was up against sub-30 minute runners from Gloucestershire including Stephanie Lane, Tracy Hinxman, Kate Jacobs, Amber Watson and a couple of in-form runners from Stroud, Georgina Greenwood and Emily Chandler. With perfect running conditions - dry surface, no sunshine and little wind, it was Emily Hilliar who was able to space out a minute gap for a comfortable victory in 28:53 min. Although from Dorset, Hilliar has created a name for herself in Gloucestershire with several strong wins in 2024.

The race for the other podiums places were the most competitive ever seen with Juniper taking second, Lane third and Greenwood fourth, with just inches between them!

The men’s race did have three favourites withdrawn on the day. However, with 20 guys breaking the 29-minute mark, it was sizzling at the front end of the race.

It was only during the later stages that Cheltenham’s Rob Green gained a gap over the Stroud pair of Matt Hudd and Ali Liscott. Green won by 10 seconds in 25:55 minutes.

With Owen Grant a late withdrawal, the fastest Tewkesbury resident was Stewart Merry with a 'comfortable' 4th place. The defending champion, Steve Kenyon won an exciting sprint finish to claim 5th this time around.

The Stroud runners took the team prize for the first time in history with their team of: Hudd, Liscott, Joe Phillips, Greenwood and Chandler.