THREE members of the Monross team assembled to tackle the Skirrid fell race on December 20th.

The Skirrid Inn provided the race HQ as runners mixed with walkers and diners in what some claim is the oldest and most haunted public house in Wales.

The race started in farmland at the foot of Ysgyryd Fawr and the climbing began almost immediately with a lung busting 1000 feet of ascent in the first 1.7 miles.

The runners were breathing hard as they reached the first summit with little time to appreciate the views across the Brecon Beacons.

A short descent to the Northern side of the hill then led to a significantly tough climb back South-East to the summit, where the remains of an iron age hill fort and mediaeval Roman Catholic church lie.This last climb was a test of both fitness and character as a slip here would have proved serious.

Once the summit had been reached for the second time, the route dropped sharply down the east side and back into fields to the finish.

The prize giving was held back at the Inn. The 'free bear' advertised turned out not to be a typo, each runner received a chocolate bear. Andrew Stephens claimed third place with a great run, in a time of around 32 minutes.

Phil Thomas and Barry Davies completed the Monross line up in 35 and 37 minutes respectively.Club training nights are now well established, meeting at John Kyrle High School or Monmouth Leisure Centre at 6pm on alternate weeks.