Monross-Trailblazers have been kicking off their spring racing season in style.

Seven members of the club took part in the annual Forest of Dean Spring Half-Marathon, on Sunday, March 19th, where more than 2,200 athletes took to the trails of the Speech House and surrounding areas.

The Monross Trailblazers placed eighth out of 34 clubs. Gavin Jones led the team home in one hour 26 minutes, in 46th place overall.

David Knapper’s Marathon training appeared to have paid off, he was soon behind in one hour 31 minutes, placing him 98th.

Sam Harness came in 128th place, with a time of one hour 33 minutes.

Bobby Prichard took on his debut at this distance in a respectable time of one hour 34, and 140th place.

Mark Scrivens followed with a time of one hour 41 minutes, and 306th place.

Vanessa Ball came in 73rd out of the females, and in a brilliant one hour 47 minutes.

New member, Tony Davies ran an exceptional one hour 57 minute race, and also ran his 100th Forest of Dean Park run this week.

On a slightly different race it was the Llanbedr to Blaenavon Fell event. This is a self-navigated 15 mile, 4,285 ft elevation race that takes runners from Llanbedr Village, up over Crug Mawr, then climbs up the back of the Sugar Loaf, down into Abergavenny, out to Llanfoist and then up and over the Killer - The Blorenge, to then finish in Blaenavon.

Andrew Stephens came first, in an amazing time of two hours 18 minutes. Laura Lelievre was sixth female in three hours 12 minutes.

Sam Harness was back on his racing legs, and managed a time of three hours 15 minutes. James Fletcher followed in three hours 30 minutes, and Matthew Hall soon after in three hours 51 minutes.

Monross-Trailblazers meet on a Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm, alternating between John Kyrle, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth Leisure Centre.

On Wednesday, March 29th they are meeting at John Kyrle High School. For more information check out the website www.monross-trailblazers.co.uk, or search ‘Monross-Trailblazers’ on Facebook.