Arthur Riley continued his impressive progression in Bournemouth AC colours with a strong run at the Yeovil Half Marathon, tackling a testing course and competitive field to finish 19th overall in 1:20:51.

Since joining the club, Arthur has quickly established himself as a consistent and versatile performer. His 35:44 at the Lordshill 10k last summer marked him out as one to watch, before he stepped up superbly in distance to record 2:54 at the New Forest Marathon alongside his brother Fergus. He followed that with a sharp 1:19:49 at the Run Bournemouth Half Marathon in October, underlining both his endurance and speed.

Perhaps most remarkable, however, was his completion of the Arc 100 at the Arc of Attrition by UTMB earlier this year. Covering 104 miles of the South West Coast Path with over 20,000 feet of elevation, Arthur, alongside brothers Fergus and Hamish, conquered one of the toughest ultras in the UK. In a race where more than half the field failed to finish, the trio showed real grit and determination to complete the challenge in just over 33 hours.

Back on more familiar territory at Yeovil, Arthur faced a half marathon course that was far from straightforward. Starting and finishing in the town centre, the route wound through closed roads before heading into Yeovil Country Park and then out towards Montacute House, returning via quiet but undulating country lanes. With around 800 feet of elevation, pacing was always going to be key.

Arthur set off confidently, settling into a steady rhythm of around 6:05 per mile through the opening five miles. The sixth mile presented the first real test with a sustained climb, which he handled well in 6:20, backing that up with a solid 6:19 for mile seven. Regaining momentum, he posted a 6:06 for mile eight before encountering another incline in the ninth.

The toughest section followed, with consecutive uphill miles of 6:49 and 6:33. Showing good judgement, Arthur managed his effort well over this demanding stretch, ensuring he had enough left for the closing stages.

With the terrain finally relenting, he made the most of the downhill run-in, clocking a brisk 5:57 before finishing strongly with a 6:11 final mile to secure his 1:20:51 finish time. His effort earned him 7th place in the highly competitive senior men’s (23–34) category, a commendable result on such a challenging course.

That was an improvement on his time of 1:22:44 from last year so that was pleasing for Arthur as it shows he’s moving in the right direction.

The race itself was won by Steven Reynolds of Truro Running Club in 1:10:48, ahead of George Paton (1:12:13) and Adam Fieldhouse, who took third in 1:12:56 after a close contest. Thomas Addison-Wood finished fifth in 1:13:00, with James Izard sixth (1:13:23) and Johnny Suttle seventh (1:14:25). Duncan Staddon was first veteran, placing eighth overall in 1:15:52 in the 45–49 category.

In the women’s race, Hannah Blundy produced an excellent run to finish first in 1:18:07, placing 13th overall. Hannah Biggs was second female in 1:28:45, just ahead of third-placed Rose Jones (1:28:52). Agnieszka Phillips took fourth female and first veteran honours in 1:29:35.

A well-supported 10k race also took place, with Lester James of Team Bath taking victory in 32:28. Matthew Adams was second in 34:57, just ahead of Casper Rawbone in 34:58. Sharon Hutchings led the women’s field in 40:44, finishing 25th overall, with Jenny Morgan (41:19) and Rosie Campbell-Barnard (43:35) completing the podium.

For Arthur, this was another strong and controlled performance, demonstrating his ability to handle varied terrain and maintain composure through the tougher sections of a race. With his blend of endurance from ultra distances and proven speed over shorter events, he continues to be a valuable asset to the Bournemouth AC squad.