A veteran runner from Llanishen in Monmouthshire led a field of 237 runners home in the inaugural Devauden 10K around Chepstow Park Woods on Bank Holiday Monday.

Peter Ward, who is 41 years old, completed the off-road course in 38 minutes 47 seconds, a full minute faster than St Arvans' runner Richard Kemp, who came second.

The two local runners were the only competitors to dip below 40 minutes on this scenic but demanding course made worse by the cold and wet conditions of a typical Bank Holiday.

The first woman home through the mud was Chloe Fenton in 44 minutes and 52 seconds. She was 12th overall. The second woman was veteran runner Nicola Gething.

In the battle for local bragging rights between the villages surrounding Chepstow Park Woods, it was St Arvans that had the first man and woman home, Caroline Bollom joining Richard Kemp in the honours.

Ellie Spence and Daphne Winfield from Itton were second and third, while Devauden's Will Leney was second and H Austin from Itton was third.

The full race results can be found on the Devauden website http://www.devauden.org.uk/10K">www.devauden.org.uk/10K

There is also a short video on the race and some photographs.

The turnout was way beyond the organisers' expectations and were all the more remarkable because of the conditions. Runners came from all over Monmouthshire and as far away as London, Nottingham, Llanelli and Tewkesbury.

The oldest competitor was the 72-year-old chairman of the Hood Memorial Hall Committee John Rowlands. When he'd got his breath back after the race he said: "I had so many people come up to me after the race to congratulate those responsible for the route, the organisation and the free tea, coffee and homemade cake afterwards.

"We are hoping to make this an annual event so Peter and Chloe have set the markers for runners to beat next year."

This email from one of the runners, David George, was typical of the comments after the race;

"I wanted to write to thank you and your village hall team for organising the race today. We should be grateful the weather gave the course extra delight. It was an unusual surprise to get distance markers around a cross country course as these really helped my pacing.

"Please thank the bakers for a spread that would make any professional envious. I'm sure you'll receive many more such positive messages so the only thing I suggest you change for next year is you'll need to make the car park larger."

The race, which was generously sponsored by Western Power Distribution, was held to raise money for the Hood Memorial Hall in Devauden, which puts on events in the village throughout the year.

The hall's next event is the Devauden Music Fest on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th May which features Caldicot's Rusty Shackle on Folk Friday and almost non-stop live music, alternating between two stages, on Rocking Saturday.