SPIRIT runners had a Spring in their step with lots of members taking part in events as the weekend ushered in the new season.

Saturday saw the penultimate Gwent Leisure Centre X-Country League match at Parc Bryn Bach, which did not disappoint in throwing almost every variety of weather at competitors, from sun and blue skies to huge hail stones, with even the club tent being abandoned by the ladies for the safety of their cars.

Organisers then announced that the “squelchy” thick mud course had been shortened for the women’s race from three laps to two, starting with a tough uphill climb to a beautiful view at the top alongside huge wind turbines.

With a few more ups and downs, runners then enjoyed a muddy, slippy descent before another tough incline.

Katie Adams was first Spirit home in 28:05 for 22nd and fourth in age, followed by Vicky Roberts (30:20, 51st and fourth in class), Sarah Heath (31:09, 60th an 1st in age), Renske Bouwens (33:04, 90th) and Marina Wright (36:55,136th).

The men had to run the full course but Ben Saunders led the team home (40:37, 72nd), followed by Tom Chinnick (42:20, 97th), Barry Burns (45:01, 137th), Matthew Visser (45:32, 144th), James Robinson (45:38, 146th), Michael Visser (58:45, 233rd) and Maixent Gaillard (1:05:33, 250th).

They just missed out on promotion due to an exceptional performance by Caerleon.

Sunday was St David's Day and City of Newport Half Marathon, starting in the city centre, and heading out along the Riverfront and over the SDR bridge before a long sapping climb through St Julian's to Caerleon.

Runners then followed the nature reserve back along a rollercoaster path down the River Usk before heading back into the city.

An on-fire Tom Chinnick in his first ever half marathon on the back of the previous day’s XC crossed in a cracking 1:23:25 (78th), followed by Lee Davies (1:35:32, 322nd), Martin Blakebrough (1:37:54, 355th) , Brian Evans (1:45:09, 604th), Jeremy Creasey (1:50:45, 790th) and Nick Sloper (1:51:56, 818th).

First lady in was Sian Fielding (2:00:18, 1201st), followed by Rachel Waters (2:07:22, 1391st) continuing her prep for the London Marathon, a dancing Julie Gee (2:35:34, 1911st) with a PB, and Natalie Jane (2:38:36, 1935th).

Sunday also saw Elizabeth Hattam take on the Brecon to Cardiff Ultra Marathon – a 43-mile point-to-point race following the River Taff from the heart of the Brecon Beacons along the Taff Vale Railway trail and the Glamorganshire Canal, organised by Run, Walk, Crawl – who finished in 8 3/4 hours.

Spirit’s parkrunners were also out in force on Saturday, including Elizabeth stretching her legs in prep for her ultra at Ystalyfera, Martin and Jeremy at Llanfoist Crossing, Nick at Pomphrey Hill, Sian Fielding and Julie Glyn-Jones at Newport Riverfront, the McMenemys still taking the distance record at Wanaka in New Zealand, and a big group at Chippenham Playing Fields, including Andy Clifton and Sarah Clifton celebrating her 100th Parkrun milestone, Rachel Waters, Andrew Hillis, Linda Lloyd, Marina Wright, Fay Visser and Karen Blake

And a big shout out to Ann Mansell who has completed her first challenge run for Cancer Research 50k (see https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/anns-giving-page-2020).