One hundred and twenty one intrepid runners tackled a testing five-mile Piercefield Park night run on Thursday, starting and finishing at the racecourse.

The race was a mix of fully taped single track through dense woodland, open running across grass in the park and along the beautiful ‘Wye Valley Walk’, with the recent rain making the going muddy and a water crossing thrown in for good measure.

And this time the women had bragging rights, Forest of Dean AC’s Amy Penn showing all the men the way home with a superb time of 42mins 48secs.

Doug Briggs of Chepstow Harriers was second overall in 43.53 with Jack Rowland from Liswerry third in 44.27.

Harriers’ evergreen over-55 Niki Morgan was second fastest women and 11th overall in 50.03, just 27 seconds behind club mate Paul Bingham in ninth overall.

Two keen Spirit of Monmouth runners joined the filed, including Vicky Roberts who was third woman overall in 51.47.

Spirit’s James Exton finished in 54.02 to place fourth the men’s over-50 class in 24th overall, one place and 48 seconds ahead of Harriers’ Ceri Richards.

Chepstow’s Helen Duffield took the women’s over-50 class in 62.05, while club mate Brigitte Allen was third over-45 women 14 seconds behind.

In close attendance was Harriers’ Esme Cowan who was fastest over-40 woman in 62.40, with Chepstow’s Barbara Maddison fastest over-60 in 67.54, 35 seconds ahead of club mate Joff Phelps who was second fastest over-55 man.

And Harriers’ Simon Maddison finished in 75.40 to take the over-70 men’s class.

And it was a Chepstow one-two in the team competitions, Doug Briggs, Paul Bingham and Ceri Richards the top men’s team from Lliswerry Runners, and Niki Morgan, Emma Barrett and Helen Duffield landing the women’s crown.

The event was organised by RogueRuns, with the third off-road night race on Friday, February 17, at Beechenhust Lodge near Coleford. For results and details see www.facebook.com/rogueruns/

Meanwhile Spirit of Monmouth’s running club is looking to attract more members.

Anyine interested can take a lool at their website www.spiritofmonmouth.co.uk/ or contact the club via [email protected].

A spokesperson said: “Spirit are a friendly and fun club – with a nice competitive edge, and a great social heart.

“Also Spirit of Monmouth are affiliated to Welsh Athletics and cater for a wide range of running abilities.

So, whether you’re an experienc