MIDWEEK saw the return of the Rose Inn Races organised by Chepstow Harriers – a four-mile two-lap road run on a fast flat course at Redwick in the Gwent Levels.

The race attracted 168 runners and was won in cool and sunny conditions by Phil Matthews of Parc Bryn Bach in a sizzling 20 minutes 06 seconds, followed by City of Stoke AC’s Peter Nimmo (20.57) and Harriers’ own Tom Batchelor (21.18).

Fastest woman was Louise Flynn of Les Croupiers in 23.13, with Bristol & West’s Hannah Green second (24.23) and Harriers’ Cherry Fowler (26.09) in third, who also took the over-55 class.

Ben Saunders put in his second fastest 5k within the four miles and came in as first Spirit of Monmouth runner in 39th in 24.51, followed by club mate Sarah Heath in 66th overall (27.41) who was eighth woman and first over-60 female in a course category record time.

Liberty Barlow was 77th in 29.04 for 11th woman and second U20, while Nick Sloper was 95th (29.50) in a course PB and Chris Baber 126th (32.56).

Maixent Gaillard, coming back from a break in running, rounded off the night with 38.22.

Harriers’ Reuben Lawson was 15th (22.57), Steffan Cole 28th (23.58), Stephen Dilley 33rd (24.34), Ian Gawinowski 34th (24.39) and Doug Briggs, who won the men’s over-55 class, 35th (24.42).

Chepstow’s Seth Lawson also took the junior crown in 24.53, while club mate Caroline Duder was first over-45 woman (27.39)

The same night was a threshold coached night for other Spirits led by Barry Burns on Chippenham Fields, where club members ran four seven minute runs at 10km pace with a minute’s walk in between, followed by posture correction pacing.

This was followed on Thursday by a Trail and Treats Social Run, from Redbrook to Bigsweir and back and a swift drink in The Boat.

Saturday saw the Barry Island 10k, the second of the R4W race series (Newport down and Porthcawl and Cardiff to come), covering the town's most scenic seaside spots and recognisable landmarks – including Whitmore Bay, the Knap, Romilly Park and Watch House Bay.

Nick Sloper was first Spirit home in 558th (48.53), followed in 863rd and 134th woman by Holly Janes-Thomas (50.04), and PB trio Julie Gee (1.01.49), Susan Lincoln (1.03.37) and Fay Visser (1.04.37).

On Saturday, Spirit members Andy and Sarah Clifton tackled the longer 50km version of the Big Black Mountain Challenge, organised by Longtown Mountain Rescue.

The event started in Llantony, up Bal Mawr, before dropping into the Grwyne Fawr Valley and the next climb up to Pen y Gadair Fawr, with a southern ridge loop around to Pen Trumau before heading off to Twmpa and Hay Bluff and a return journey to Llantony along the Hatterrall Ridge.

With a huge elevation of 6,263ft, they finished in just under 12 hours.

Also on Saturday Lee Davies took on the 22-mile Keswick 8 peak with 5,396 ft of ascent, a high-level horseshoe walk around the fells surrounding Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Valley and covering the iconic fells and peaks of Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Castle Cragg, High Tove, High Seat, Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag, finishing in just under nine hours.