Monross-Trailblazers, based in Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, hosted their first ever race on Sunday, October 8th, Blaze the Biblins; a 10k race around the wood lands of the Doward and Biblins. This was a race for all runners, whether they were seasoned athletes, or somebody who wanted to take on the 10k distance with an off-road muddy challenge!

Out of a field of 81 runners, Andrew Reeves from Serpentine Running Club, ‘blazed’ home first in 42 minutes 39 seconds, followed closely by Sean Taylor from the Mick Morris Running Team (43 minutes, 45 seconds). In 3rd was Dan Sandford from Forest of Dean Athletics club (46 minutes, 32 seconds).

Out of the ladies, Sarah Pemberton from Serpentine Running Club, blazed the race in 50 minutes and 12 seconds. This was closely followed by Helen Brown from Forest of Dean Athletics Club in 51 minutes, 59 seconds. Chloe Wheeler from Forest of Dean Athletics Club came in 3rd, in 52 minutes 22 seconds.

This is a race that Monross are looking to host every year, so if you fancy a muddy off-road local challenge, look no further!

On Sunday, October 15th, 8 members from Monross-trailblazers took the trip up to Builth-Wells to take part in the first of the Herefordshire Winter Cross-Country races at Fforest Fields campsite. This was a 10k off road league race, with lots of great climbs, mud and single tracks to negotiate.

Andy Stephens was the first Monross runner home in 42 minutes, 30 seconds and 7th overall. This was closely followed by Gavin Jones in 8th place with a time of 43 minutes, 48 seconds. Luke Gray was 12th with 44 minutes, 39 seconds. Bobby Pritchard followed with 47 minutes and 37 seconds, coming 25th overall.

Sam Harness was in 32nd place with a time of 49 minutes, 5 seconds, followed by Ian Gray who put in a brilliant performance with a time of 60 minutes and 43 seconds, and a place of 93 out of a field of 118 male club runners.

Meanwhile the ladies put in an amazing performance. Laura Lelievre finished 6th place overall in 52 minutes, 58 seconds. Vanessa Ball completed the race in 60 minutes, 19 seconds, in the 25th position out of 72 female runners.

Monross-Trailblazers are currently 2nd in the Hereford Winter cross country league, out of 25 teams.

The club meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm, alternating between Monmouth Leisure Centre and John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye. The next training session will be on Wednesday, October 18th at 6:30pm, at Monmouth Leisure Centre. If you would like more information about Monross; visit the website:

www.monross-trailblazers.co.uk or take a look at the Monross-Trailblazers Facebook and Twitter pages.