FIVE Radley athletes returned home from the World Masters Championships in Lyon after earning three bronze medals between them while representing Great Britain.

Ben Owen (M35), in his first international masters, picked up his medal in the 4x100m, finished fourth in the 200m final and reached the semifinals of the 100m.

His wife, Paula, (W35) also excelled, claiming bronze in the 400m hurdles and getting through to the semi-finals of the 100m.

However, she was forced to pull out of the championships after suffering a knee injury in the 80m hurdles.

Alastair Duncan (M55) overcame an injury sustained in training, helping the British team to finish third in the 4x400m relay.

He also made the final of the 400m, finishing seventh.

Jan Ellacott (W50) pulled a muscle in the 100m, but came close to winning gold in the 4x400m.

However, with the team 80metres ahead on the final leg, the last British athlete pulled up injured, forcing them to wonder what might have been.

Lyn Ahmet (W60) came ninth in the triple jump and 12th in the long jump.

She also ran in the 100m and 200m, finishing 19th and 20th overall.

KAY Reynolds has hailed Radley AC's team spirit throughout the season following their promotion to Division 1 of the Southern League.

Radley finished first by 60 points at their final Division 2 West fixture at Perivale to come second overall, despite travelling to the London suburb with a depleted squad.

Just 23 athletes competed, due to the South of England AA U17 Championships, unavailability and injuries.

However, Radley rallied to victory, with many athletes competing in several events to earn valuable points.

Kathryn Woodcock, who excelled in the throwing events, also competed in the pole vault and 2,000m steeplechase.

Becky Hodgson ran the 200m, 400m, 800m, 2,000m steeplechase and both relays.

Chris Shaw also amassed valuable points, and a number of season’s bests, in the shot, discus, hammer, javelin, pole vault and 110m hurdles.

Team manager Reynolds said: "I am very proud to manage such a great team.

"We have some great athletes, but more importantly we have a great team spirit.

"Managing a team like this is a pleasure.

"We also have lots of youngsters coming through which bodes well for the future of our sport."

There were some great individual performances, including under 17 Edward Gronbech, who achieved two personal bests (800m and 3,000m steeplechase).

Meanwhile, training partner Eleanor Backhouse (U17) knocked 54 seconds off her previous 3,000m time and went on to get a pb in her 1500m.

Not to be outdone, Jess Anstice finally broke the 2.30 barrier in the 800m.

Elsewhere, several U17 debutants also did their bit for the cause.

Sam Way won the A string high jump and B string long jump, while training partner Blake Strickland-Bennett came third in the A string 400m hurdles and second in the pole vault.

Fellow debutant Matthew Johnson came second in the B string 100m and ran both relays.

Radley are looking for new athletes ahead of next season. Visit www.radleyathleticsclub.co.uk for more information.

THE first Barnes Fitness Harwell Half takes place on Bank Holiday Monday from the Rutherton Appleton Laboratory (10).

More than 150 people have already signed up to the 13.1-mile race.

Online entries, which can be made at barnesfitness.co.uk, close tomorrow and costs £20 for UK athletics members and £22 for non members.

Cash only entries are available on the day.