LAST Thursday (5th July) saw the Chepstow Harriers host the annual Tintern Trot, now in its 21st year.

250 runners completed the challenging 5.9 mile off road race on what was a glorious summer’s evening surrounded by stunning scenery. The race starts on the old railway bridge near the centre of the historic village of Tintern. Once across the bridge, the course follows the river for about a mile before a steep climb up through the woods to reach Offa’s Dyke path. The route goes down past the HAPPA horse sanctuary and then turns back along the lane to re-join the outward route and back to the finish at the Abbey Mill.

In hot conditions, the race was won by Peter Ryder of Aberdare Valley AAC in a time of 38:06. First female was Faye Johnson of Mynydd Du in a time of 45:08. The combined efforts of Paul Murrin, Martyn Winser, Rich Mathews and Jonathan Carter took home the men’s team prize for Chepstow Harriers. The ladies team prize was won by Bitton Road Runners (Tabitha Collins, Kaisha Thatcher, and Anneli Hendy). Podium finishers for Chepstow Harriers included Lisa Jeffrey (3rd F V45), Louise Crockett (3rd F V50), Jane Bayliss (1st F V65), Paul Murrin (1st M V45), Jonathan Carter (1st M V50) and Robert Hook (3rd M V50).

The first home for Spirit of Monmouth Running Club was Mark Dunn 49:36 followed by Jeremy Creasey 56:33 with Emily Harrison and Lucy MacDonald finishing together on 56:48.

The next off road race organised by Chepstow Harriers will be The Vicious Wentwood Weasel; an eight mile hilly and scenic race on Sunday 2nd September. Further information can be found at chepstowharriers.org.uk