THREE MonRoss Trailblazers took a step back in time on the Offa’s Dyke 15 – a stunning but brutally hilly 15-mile trail race along the ancient rampart.

With more than 2,000ft of elevation and plenty of leg-burning climbs, the Hay-on-Wye to Kington challenge was certainly not for the faint-hearted.

But Grant White delivered a storming performance, crossing the line in two hours nine minutes 17 seconds to place 37th out of 387 runners and 11th in men's over-35 for an impressive result on such a demanding course.

Neil Harper showed strength, consistency and grit, finishing in 2.30.44 for 118th overall, 103rd man and 26th over-45.

Rachael Aitken ran strongly and steadily, showing determination and endurance to race home in 2.42.04, finishing 186th overall, 36th woman and 12th over-35 woman.

The club posted: "Massive kudos to all three – you did yourselves and MonRoss proud out there!"

The race was won by Sam Juson of Croft Ambrey AC in an amazing 1.36.34, while fastest woman was Lauren Cooper of Parc Bryn Bach in 2.12.17.

They weren't the only ones taking on a mighty hill challenge, club mate Pip Cottrell completing the legendary 22-mile Man v Horse race in and around Llanwrtyd Wells in an exhausting 4.58.49.

Meanwhile, Nick Sloper flew the flag for Spirit of Monmouth at the Thornbury 10k taking on the rolling country lanes around Oldbury, giving great views across the Severn Estuary.

With temperatures hitting 33C it was a hot one! Nick started well and slightly wilted towards the end, but with an on target time of 50.41 and a position of 97th out of 272 he was happy with the result.

Monmouth’s Chippenham parkrun also took place in hot conditions on Saturday, June 21, when Nick raced again, but the times were hot too, with Tom Cooper racing home fastest in a sizzling 17.47, just 20 seconds ahead of Clapham Chasers visitor Rory Freeman, followed by Tomos Boshoff in 18.30.

New Spirit club member Thomas Chinnick running in the 40-44 category was fourth fastest finishing in an impressive 18.35, with Trailblazers’ Gavin Jones fifth in 19.07 and Spirit’s Ben Saunders seventh in 20.08.

Stephanie Loveland proved quickest woman in 10th overall with 21.33, while fastest over-55 in 23.02 was Monmouth Rock Up and Run’s Toni Merola, 10 seconds ahead of second fastest woman and quickest over-50 female Alison Stuart.

After a few months of parkrun tourism, Spirit’s Nick returned to Chippy fields to pick up a course PB 23.40, coming in 17th out of 129 and first over-50.

Bang on his Strava prediction, he was happy with his progress in picking up his pace into the sub 8s at last, and hopefully can build on that for the rest of the year.

‘It looks like the 400m circuit training paid off," he said.

Spirit’s Carol Oswell in the 55-59 women’s category also finished third fastest female in an impressive 24.01.