ATHLETICS: AVON Valley Runner veteran Darren Wrintmore is celebrating after claiming his first race victory for nine years.

Wrintmore was the sole AVR member taking part in the Heddington Hill Climb, a one mile event that starts at the Ivy Inn and takes runners up nearly 200 metres of ascent in a climb up Roundway Down.

Taking the lead after less than quarter of a mile, Wrintmore then led the field home in a winning time of seven minutes and 13 seconds.