WHEN everything else is frozen, the only way is up, as 115 runners reached for the skies in Saturday’s Kymin Winter Hill Run at Monmouth, organised by Chepstow Harriers.

Matt James of Hereford Couriers set the pace on the 4.42-mile 1,150ft climb course, crossing in 32.57 to win by 19 seconds from Tom Whitmarsh-Knight of Les Croupiers.

Forest of Dean AC and MonRoss Trail Blazer runner Dan Sandford was first local runner home in seventh, winning the over-40 class in 37.06.

Fellow Trail Blazer Laura Lelievre impressed as second fastest woman in 39.24, just 20 seconds back on fastest female Katie Ironside of Beacons fell club Mynyddwyr De Cymru.  

Niki Morgan of Harriers was third fastest and quickest over-50 woman in 42.43.

Clubmate Robert Hook finished in 43.35, while MonRoss’ Vanessa Ward came home in 46.46.

Forest of Dean AC’s Claire Jackson was third in the women’s over-40 class in 48.05, while clubmate Stefanie Francis matched her in the over-50 class in 51.46.

Forester Owen McLaughlin was fastest over-70 man in 48.30, while Spirit of Monmouth duo Emily Harrison and Maixent Gaillard also crossed in 48.38 and 57.59 respectively. 

On Sunday, Spirit runners headed to Chepstow racecourse to run their third race in the Gwent Leisure Centre X-Country League hosted by the Harriers at Piercefield Park.

Racing over a three-lap 7.5k course, the course included a very cold icy water feature at the end of each one.

Monmouth women’s ‘A’ team made up of Katie Adams, Alex Wilson, Lucy Macdoanld, Vicky Roberts, Emily Harrison and Rachel Waters had a fantastic result coming home third overall just beating Chepstow by one point.  

Katie was first Spirit woman home in 34.41 to win her age category followed by Alex in 37.14 taking second in the same category.  

Lucy in 37.48 and Vicky in 39.19 also had great runs placing sixth and eighth in their age class.

Emily made the prize board with 39.22 making her third in her age category.

Rachel finished in 46.16 to place her 15th in class. 

Spirit men Mat Styles, Brian Evans, Martin Blakebrough, Paul Middleton, Jeremy Creasey and Maixent Gaillard were also in action, with their ‘A’ team coming 13th overall.

Mat was first home in 36.32 for 11th in category followed by Brian 38.25 for 10th in age, Martin in 40.17 for seventh, Paul 40.31 for eighth, Jeremy 42.35s for 14th and Maixent 49.35 for 15th.