SPIRIT runners took a step back in time in Sunday’s Rack Raid Relay – 14 stages of ‘Running Around the Castles and Keeps’ of Gwent.

Started in 1993 by Fairwater Runners, the 30-team event covers 100 miles between historic sites from Grosmont to Cwmbran.

Sarah Baker was first off, running the 5.1-mile Leg 1 to Skenfrith in 36.24 (10th place), followed by Matthew Visser on the hilly 6.9-mile Leg 2 to Whitecastle in 49.29 (10th).

Marina Wright ran the 7.5 miles onto Abergavenny in 1.01.24 (25th), and Katie Adams the 6.7-mile Leg 4 to Old Moat Court in 47.12 (11th).

Leg 5 saw Kirk Hill head 8.1 miles to Monmouth in 56.13 (18th), followed by Ben Saunders on the 12.4-mile Leg 6 to Raglan, the left-hand turn five miles in adding a seven-mile diversion to the Pen-y-clawdd summit, crossing in 1.20.07 (11th).

Louise Hartree’s 5.5-mile Leg 7 to Usk took 46.01 (22nd), followed by relay debutant Tom Chinnick running the 13.1-mile half marathon Leg 8 to Tintern in 1.29.32 (10th).

Fellow debutant James Robinson did the hilly 10-mile Leg 9 to Chepstow Castle in 1.12.55 (19th), and another first timer – Liberty Barlow – the 7.1-mile Leg 10 to Caldicot Castle in 1.00.48 (18th).

Vicky Roberts ran the hilly 8.4-mile Leg 11 to Penhow against 27 men, battling the hot sun, headwind and final two-mile climb to finish in 58.11 (16th).

Nick Sloper on the 6.3-mile Leg 12 to Caerleon Amphitheatre found respite in tree-shaded lanes finishing in 51.31 (21st), before Martin Blakebrough ran the 5.4-mile Castell y Bwch Leg 13 in 45.00 (13th).

And rounding off a great day was Rachel Waters, covering the 5.1-mile Leg 14 to the Olive Tree in 44.02 (23rd).

Spirit finished 15th, their best for some years, with Parc Bryn Bach overall winners from Chepstow Harriers.