TWENTY five Spirits took part in the second Gwent Leisure Centre League race  at Northfields in Cwmbran, hosted by Fairwaters RC, in midweek.

Kirk Hill was first Spirit home in 35mins 33secs, closely followed by Barry Burns and Lee Davies.

Vicky Roberts finished first female Spirit in 38.05 with Sarah Heath seconds behind, and Marina Wright third.

Sarah (woman over-60) and John Jenkins (men over-80) also secured first place in their age categories, while everyone finished with a gathering in The Olive Tree afterwards.

On Thursday night, SoM members raced the Fountain 5 trail race hosted by Forest of Dean AC over a hilly and muddy, but beautiful and scenic course,

Spirit ladies had a great race, regaining the women’s team title.

Spirit runners and pets at the Fountain 5
Spirit runners and pets at the Fountain 5. Photo: SoM (SoM)

Western Tempo’s Barry Burns was first man home in 34.12, with Spirit’s Barry Burns seventh in 38.47.

Club mate Lucy Macdonald was second woman just 19 seconds behind Chepstow Harriers’ Niki Morgan in 41.36 while Renske Bouwens claimed first over-50 woman in 44.48.

James Exton joined Marina Wright running with a four-legged friend to finish third in the CaniX race.

Elizabeth Sims took on epic Grand Union Canal 145-mile race
Elizabeth Sims took on epic Grand Union Canal 145-mile race. (SoM)

On Saturday, Elizabeth Sims took on the epic Grand Union Canal 145-mile race from London to Birmingham.

She had unfinished business and wanted to give it another good go, and the first 19 miles went well, with Liz taking in fluid and food and slowing the pace to stay on course.

At 28 miles the check point saw a little foot dip in the canal, but because of the hot weather, Elizabeth said: “I started to do 25 minutes run, 5 minutes walk which felt better.”

At 56 miles the route became a little boring and she wanted to stop, but ran to the next checkpoint where she called halt.

But having run an incredible 61 miles along the canal in 13 hours 45.06, she admitted: “I can't wait to get back up the mountains, I never want to run along a canal again.”

Also on Saturday Marina Wright ran the OTT Pen Y Fan 10-mile race, with views that didn't disappoint, finishing fifth woman in 1.37.36

The looped course saw runners take in the Pen y Fan from Graig Fan Ddu before heading up Fan Y Big and over to Talybont reservoir for  a final climb up Tor y Foel. 

On Sunday, Linsey Holt in her third race of the week was on form in Manchester in the AJ Bell Great Manchester 10k, supporting her charity fundraising nieces. 

With forecasts of storms the start was a little nervous, but Linsey finished in 51.09 for 24th in her age category out of 620.

Katie Adams ran the half marathon, which like the 10k started and finished in the vibrant city centre.  

She had been chosen to represent Wales and finished in an amazing 1.29.34, knocking 39 seconds off her PB. 

Jeremy Creasey also ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon around the city centre, starting on Potterrow with the picturesque backdrop of Edinburgh University’s McEwan Hall.

With a descent of almost 90m to near sea level, it is  believed to be the fastest half marathon route in the world.

He enjoyed running with family and friends from FoDAC and finished in  2.29.52