SEVENTY two runners braved the Rogue Runs Off Road Night Race around Chepstow Race Course and Piercefield Park on Thursday, despite local floods and snow.

Chepstow Harriers’ Tim Batchelor came home first and fastest over-40 in 29.21, followed by Lliswerry Runners’ Jack Rowlands in 30.32 and Caldicot RC’s Ben Tyrrell in 30.49.

Fastest woman in fourth was Lliswerry’s Antoinette Rose in 31.59, followed by Hannah Knapton in 34.01 and Rebekah Knapton in 35.06.

The weather chucked absolutely everything at the head-torch wearing runners, many wearing face paints, on a windy, wet, and freezing cold night and with the wind howling in their faces, the downhills felt like uphills.

Harriers’ Tony Marshall in fifth was fastest over-60 man in 33.05, and other class winners included Severn AC’s Jez Fraser-Hook (over-50, 35.01), Alfie James (junior, 36.24), Wye Valley Runners’ Kate Green (women’s over-50, 40.16), Forest of Dean AC’s Owen McLaughlin (over-70, 41.21), Vegan AC’s Victoria Thomas (women’s over-40, 42.25), and Dawn James (women’s over-60, 47.29).

Nick Sloper represented Spirit of Monmouth on the hilly off road and very muddy course, knocking four minutes off his 2025 time finishing 39th in 43.48.

Spirit’s free ‘Couch to 5k’ (C25K) starts tonight (Tuesday, January 13) at Monmouth School Sports complex, on Hadnock Road.

The C25K is for everyone, whether you've never run before or you just want to get more active, and runs for nine weeks leading to a graduation 5k parkrun.

Email [email protected] for further information or go along on this or next Tuesday at 6.55pm.

Meanwhile, MonRoss Trailblazers are hosting the 3.9-mile Kymin Winter Fell Race this Sunday (January 18) starting (2pm) and finishing on the hill path just above the May Hill pub.

See fell race.com for more information.