SPIRIT of Monmouth RC's Katie Adams stormed to the women's title again in the scenic Wye Valley Scorpion 12k race based at Symonds Yat, reports VICKY ROBERTS.

Katie said the race was exactly how it was advertised ‘with a sting at the end’ which saw runners climb a steep hill to the finish.

But she again took the title of first woman home in 51mins nine seconds finishing seventh overall.

Spirit runners at the Rose Inn race
Spirit runners at the Rose Inn race (SoM)

On Tuesday six Spirit runners raced at the first Rose Inn race of the summer in Redwick, hosted by Chesptow Harriers – over two laps of a flat two-mile loop.

Thomas Gostelow of North Somerset AC was first home in 20.20, with Harriers' Tim Batchelor best local runner in eighth in 21.24.

Renske Bouwens took the Spirit honours, crossing in just under 30 minutes,, followed by Maixent Gaillard in 30.27.

Phil Chadwick, Steve Reason, Julie Glynn-Jones and Julie Gee also enjoyed the fast course on a lovely evening.

On Saturday, three members ran the Trail Events Wye Valley 2024 based at the Biblins, Katie Adams and Phil Chadwick taking on the half marathon, and Nick Sloper the extra 13.1 miles and the full marathon.

The sun was shining and along with beautiful views came hills that became a lot harder as it got hotter throughout the day.

But Spirit's champion Katie continued her winning streak as first woman home in 2.09.22, finishing sixth overall, while Phil, who the previous week completed another hilly half, finished in 3.03.46.

Nick, still pushing out the miles ahead of his Dragons Back race in September, described his marathon as “an absolutely fantastic route from The Biblins to Brockweir, with challenging climbs at the Salmons, Coldera woods and the Kymin."

If 26.2 miles wasn't enough the race had to be adjusted due to a fallen tree making the runners race a further two miles, with Nick finishing in 59th in 6.24.21.

Spirit runners headed across the Severn to take part in the AJ Bell Bristol race
Spirit runners headed across the Severn to take part in the AJ Bell Bristol race (SoM)

On Sunday, again in hot weather, Martin Blakebrough and Jeremy Creasey hit the roads at the AJ Bell Bristol half marathon, taking in the portway, the city centre, Queen Square and Castle Park.

Martin finished in 1.43.46, while Jeremy ran alongside his daughter Lucy in her first half marathon, finishing in 2.13.24.

Jeremy Creasey and daughter Lucy
Jeremy Creasey and daughter Lucy (SoM)

Louise Camacho, Steve Reason and Bernie Cloete also ran the 10k, Louise, returning to running, racing home in 62.36.

Louise Camacho had a good 10k
Louise Camacho had a good 10k (SoM)

Steve supported his daughter on her first 10k, and came well within her target time at 64.44.

Bernie also ran well alongside family in the charity event, crossing in 1.13.39.

Richard Wonson passing the Millennium Centre
Richard Wonson passing the Millennium Centre (SoM)

Richard Wonson and Sian Fielding also did the 10k in Cardiff Bay, starting and finishing in Roald Dahl Plass and passing the Wales Millennium Centre, Mermaid Quay, the Pierhead Building, Senedd, Porth Teigr and the Barrage.

Sian Fielding gives supporters a wave
Sian Fielding gives supporters a wave (SoM)

Despite the searing heat, Rich managed to get under the hour in 59.13, while Sian really enjoyed taking in the capital's sights and raced against her son and won crossing in 62.56.

The weekend also saw a huge milestone for Martin Blakebrough, who celebrated running his 400th park run on Saturday along with Jeremy and Fiona Creasey at Melksham parkrun, finishing the 5k in an impressive 21.48.

Martin Blakebrough celebrated his 400th parkrun with Jeremy and Fiona Creasey
Martin Blakebrough celebrated his 400th parkrun with Jeremy and Fiona Creasey (SoM)

Martin's parkrun record stands at 20.29, which he completed at The Riverfront parkrun, while he has done the Forest parkrun 144 times..

Well done Martin, and a huge Spirit high 5 for a fantastic achievement!