MONROSS Trailblazers had a successful end to the Herefordshire Winter cross country series, taking home medals in several categories.

The final race was held in Presteigne and featured runners from ten teams across the county.

The course winds around Deep Moors wood and crosses the border of England and Wales at the mid-way point. The trail features the greatest ascent of any of the five races in the series and was held across different distances for male and female runners at 6.3 miles and 4.5 respectively.

New Monross Trailblazer Hannah Darcy had an incredible debut, finishing in first place, a clear two and a half minutes ahead of her nearest rival. Vanessa Ball also had a great race, finishing ninth in 42.05.

In the men's team, Andy Stephens finished in fifth place (45.35), Barry Davies 15th (49.03), Luke James close behind in 17th (49.13), Matt Hall 35th (54.25) and David Knapper 65th (62.25).

After missing captain Richard Bevan, Phil Thomas and Gavin Jones through injury, the men's team finished the series in fourth place, just four points behind third place finishers Croft Ambrey.

At the end of season presentations, Vanessa Ball collected her medal for third place senior female and Andy Stephens first place vet male in both the Hereford Winter series and the county championships.

Barry, Phil and Andy also took the Veteran 40 team medal for the Herefordshire county championships to round off a fine season.

The team is keen to recruit more members, particularly to form a women's team ready to compete in the summer cross country series which starts in June. The team train tonight at 6pm (Wednesday 4th February) from Monmouth Leisure Centre, and the next race in the Muddy Woody at Haugh Woods is on 15th

February.