There was a record turnout in all the events at a very successful sixth Walford Timber Ross 10K + Fun Run earlier this month.

The event is arranged to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice charity, and the large turnout meant the that over £3,000 was raised on the day.

This year, for the first time, a 5K run was added to the day and there was a large number of canicross [with dogs] runners in both the 5K and 10K.

The first event as usual was the Fun Run, open to all ages but specifically aimed at getting youngsters involved in the fun of running and competing. This race, as were all the others, was started by Mayor David Ravenscroft sounding the hooter. First home was 11 year old Ollie Lloyd.

Of the 50 5K entrants 12 were canicross, and they were sent off five minutes ahead of the other runners to prevent entanglements with the dogs on leashes. The first three canicross home were Kim Mazzuka no 276, first; Oliver Rennison no 264, second, and Mark Mazzuca no 277 third, all from the Forest of Dean Canicross Club.

First runner home was 14-year-old Oliver Fishpool of Gloucester Athletic Club no 255, second Simon Hassan, no 293, and third, Robert Scott, no 296.

200 runners entered the 10k, of which seven were canicross. The winner was Steve Millward of Rogue Runners in 36:14, [0582], 2nd James Ross of Severn AC in 37:43, [0684] and third was event sponsor George Smith [Walford Timber] of Spirit of Monmouth in 40:17.[0687]

First woman home was Angela Jones in 7th place in 42:12, [0689] and the first canicross was Mark Zikking in 42:56 in 8th place [0688].

Teams taking part included Monross Trailblazers [0692] and Rogue Runners [0697].

The organisers, rossonwye4acorns, are very grateful to Ross Rowing Club for the use of their site, the land owners over which the 10K is run, Ross Lions for marshalling, First Responders for their medical cover and numerous generous sponsors.