HOLLY Janes-Thomas monstered the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon in 4 hours 29 minutes as 11,000 runners took on the epic Highlands course.

The challenging hilly loch-side route from Fort Augustus to Inverness proved a longest ever for the Spirit of Monmouth runner, who came home in 4 hours 29 minutes.

Meanwhile in Wiltshire, club mates Martin Blakebrough and Brian Evans joined a 2,000-strong field at the Swindon Half Marathon, finishing in 1.43 and 1.45.

The race started at Coate Water Country Park and passed through several villages before returning via a downhill section.

Locally, Jeremy Creasey completed the Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon based around the Speech House in 2.09.38 on a demanding course of forest trails and uneven terrain.

The club also celebrated multiple honours at the Gwent Leisure Centre League 40th Anniversary Awards, with Brian Evans receiving the Outstanding Contribution Award.

Other Spirit members recognised included Fay Visser, Jeremy Creasey, Michael Visser, Andrew Hillis, Barry Burns, Fay Burns, Vicky Roberts and Katy Adams.

Training sessions were well attended last week, with Tuesday’s threshold session at Chippenham Fields seeing strong efforts from Rachel Waters, Liberty Barlow, Vicky Roberts, Tom Chinnick, Helen Shepherd, Nick Sloper, Renske Bouwens, and Michael Visser.

The Thursday social run also included Sara Moore, Michael Visser, Fay Visser, and Matthew Visser.

Weekly mileage was led by Keith Penny with 45.8 miles, followed by Martin Blakebrough (27.7 miles) and Holly Janes-Thomas (26.3 miles), while Keith also topped the elevation chart with 2,697ft.

Parkrun participation was widespread. At Monmouth’s Chippenham Fields, Stephen McMenemy, Alison McMenemy, Carol Oswell, and Linda Lloyd all performed strongly.

Spirit runners also attended events in Northern Ireland, the Forest of Dean, Tetbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Ross-on-Wye, and Brighton, with notable results including Katie Adams achieving a PB 21.12 at Five Acres and Rachel Waters finishing first woman at Dunleath in County Down in 24.13.