Both the male and female course records where smashed in the Devauden 10k run in the bright sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May.

Fairwater runner Mark Jennings won in 36 minutes and five seconds, easily surpassing the winning inaugural time of 38 minutes 47 seconds set by Peter Ward in the rain and mud of 2012.

Chepstow Harrier Katherine Matthews took even more off last year's female course record coming home in 41 minutes and 30 seconds, three minutes and 22 seconds faster than last year's female winner Chloe Felton.

Katherine was also the 10th finisher overall.

Both runners received £100 from sponsors Spectrum Internet for breaking the course record as well as a wooden trophy made by the Design and Technology Department at Chepstow Comprehensive School.

The trophy, shaped like a tree to celebrate the off road route through Chepstow Park Woods, sat on an oak base donated by ex pupil and MD of Monmouthshire Timber, Chris Worthy.

Chris also ran in the race, finishing in a creditable 42nd place in 48:15.

In all, 24 trophies were won for various age categories including the male and female winners of a new 3k race for 9 to 11-year-olds and 12 to 14-year-olds.

Rhys Dobbs and Ceri Summers won the 9 to 11-year-old category while Alex Carter was the overall race winner in the 12 to 14-year-olds. Polly Summers was the first girl home.

The honour for the first unaffiliated local runners home went to one family from Itton. Will Leney was also the first under 18 to finish in the 10k, his brother Tom was second, while mum Jane Leney won the over 50 category.

During the 10k race there was a race for five and under, and a very competitive race for 6, 7 and 8-year-olds. More than 200 competitors took part in all the races held.

Runners enjoyed a mountain of homemade cakes when they'd finished the event, which was again sponsored by Western Power Distribution.

The races raised money for SARA, Severn Area Rescue Association, who provided emergency and first aid cover, and the project to install a bust of John Wesley on Devauden Village Green to commemorate his first sermon in Wales in 1739, which led to the great Welsh tradition of chapel going.

Full results and photographs will be posted on http://www.devauden.org.uk/10k">www.devauden.org.uk/10k