Christmas and New Year has been a busy time for the Trailblazers; starting with the Seven Sins which was on Thursday 28th December. This was a seven mile trail race starting from Wenchford, Blakeney. This race included seven hills, steep slippery downhills, single-track and water submersion to cool down the legs! In -4°C icy conditions, seven Monross members stood on the start line.

Gavin managed to hold onto 3rd place throughout the race, however got outsprinted to the finish line, finishing 4th in 55 minutes 33 seconds. Bobby was next in 7th with a time of 58 minutes, 18 seconds. Sam Weale was soon after in 18th with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes, and Martin Scrivens followed close behind in 1 hour 7 minutes. Mark Scrivens completed the men’s team in 1 hour 10 minutes and in 52nd place out of a field of 164 men.

Laura Lelievre managed an amazing 2nd out of 51 ladies in 1 hour 5 minutes, with Vanessa Ball following in 6th place with a time of 1 hour 16 minutes.

On New Year’s Day Monross member, Bobby Prichard took part in the Wye Valley 10k. This is an annual 10k organised by the Wye Valley runners taking in the lanes around Breinton, Hereford. Bobby Prichard managed 16th place out of 196 runners in 38 minutes 20 seconds.

On Saturday, January 6th, six ‘Blazers’ took part in the Kymin winter race. This is a four mile trail race around the Kymin.

Out of a field of 83 runners, Andrew Stephens managed 4th place in 34 minutes 5 seconds. Gavin Jones finished in 34 minutes 50, with a 5th place. Bobby Prichard came in 6th with a time of 35 minutes 34 seconds. Toby Dickens was close behind in 7th place with a time of 35 minutes 38 seconds. Sam Weale was 21st in 38.52, James Fletcher was 23rd in 39.18. Martin Scrivens rounded off the team in 39.53, with a 26th place overall.

Monross-Trailblazers alternate training between Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye. Next training session is at 6:30pm, on Wednesday, January 10th from John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye.