MORE than 1,000 runners took on the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Marathon in lovely weather on Sunday, starting and finishing at the Speech House.

First home was Jacob Tasker of Bridgend AC in one hour eight minutes 56 seconds, 1.35 ahead of Ben Robinson of Western Tempo, with William Paulson third in 1.12.20.

Fastest woman was Kelly Edwards of Leamington Cycling & Athletic Club in 1.25.45, followed by Stockport Harriers’ Sally Ratcliff (1.26.31) and Mansfield Harriers’ Carolyn Hay (1.27.10).

Chepstow Harriers had five runners in the top 100, with Tim Batchelor 15th overall and third over-40 in 1.17.26, followed by James Blore 34th in 1.21.23, Doug Briggs fourth-over 55 and 64th in 1.27.19, Jonathan Carter fifth over-55 and 71st in 1.28.17, and Ross Howells 86th in 1.29.56.

Being part of Spirit of Monmouth’s club championships, 12 members took part in the annual Forest Rotary Club-organised race, which started on the road followed by a two-mile downhill stretch to Cannop Ponds before the hard grind began – a 4.5-mile uphill slog with an ever increasing gradient to Serridge Green.

With some reprieve for the next 3.5 miles down to Dilke Bridge, there was a final sting in the tail of a two-mile uphill leg-sapping finish via Zig Zag hill, and a circuit around the Speech House field.

First Spirit was Ben Saunders running his first HM in 1.32.46, followed by James Robinson in his first Forest HM in 1.38.55.

Vicky Roberts came in next as first Spirit lady in 1.41.19 knocking a massive five minutes off her previous course PB and getting an 8th age-group placing and 38th female.

Sarah Em Baker ,following her 20-miler at Fission the previous week, came in with 1.52.02, with a happy Renske Bouwens hot on her heels in 1.53.25 after slipping past Nick Sloper at the last water stop.

Nick finished in 1.55.14 after shaking off club mate Jeremy Creasey at eight miles who home in 1.59.09, followed by James Exton in his first HM, who hung on to survive the last 5k after hitting a bit of a wall to finish in 2.00.14.

It was great to see Claire Finley back out racing after having a baby, who recorded a respectable 2.05.11, followed by Elizabeth Hattam ahead of the 200 miler Wildhorse with Keith Penny in 2.07.08.

Helen Shepherd recorded a HM PB in 2.16.22 and Sian Fielding rounded off the day with 2.21.24.

Several MonRoss Trailblazers also took part, including Neil Harper (1.41.48), Andrew Stephens (1.44.16), Gary Griffiths (1.53.36), Lucy Macdonald (1.57.21), Trina Sami (2.01.23), Pip Cottrell (2.02.17), Rosie Davies (2.05.15) and Rebecca Foster (2.09.01).

Four Chepstow Harriers ladies ran, with Caroline Duder crossing in 1.48.06, Esther Caldwell in 1.57.48, Wendy Sharpe-Nash in 2.02.58 and Sally Grant in 2.07.35, while over-75 Dave Andrews made it round in 2.42.44.

Also on Sunday was the Gloucester Half taking in the docks and canal, run by Spirit’s Julie Gee who came in with a PB 2.31.09.