MONROSS Trailblazers warmed to their task in last Thursday's Fountain 5 Trail Race in Parkend as the sunshine finally arrived.

The fantastic local race had a bit of everything from challenging trails, hills, root hopping and scenic paths, all capped off with a well-deserved free drink at the Fountain Inn.

Nearly 120 took part, and as a featured race in the very first year of Trailblazers' new club competition, no less than 20 club members turned out for the event, organised by Forest of Dean AC.

Thomas Cooper from Cardiff was first in 33.03, chased home in second by Blazers' Keiron Brown (34.17), who had nine seconds on third-placed Iain Porter of Cheltenham Striders.

Blazers' Richard Cronin was eighth (36.16) and club mate Jake McBride 16th (37.45), helping to secure the men's team prize with Brown.

Neil Harper was also 29th (41.41), Andrew Stephens 32nd (42.43), Andrew Wright 35th (43.19) and Martin Turner 36th (43.51).

And Laura Lelievre was 37th and fifth overall woman (43.55), with fastest woman on the day Antoinette Rose of Lliswerry Runners in seventh overall in a sizzling 36.13.

Blazers' Emily Harrison crossed in 45.41 to take the over-40 women's class, while other MonRoss runners to blaze a trail were Rob Potter (45.12), Rosie Davies (47.49), Ellie Thorne (48.05), Emma Davies (48.32), Emma Humphries (49.03), Graham Bell (50.17), Catherine Finlay (50.33) and Matt Webb (51.34).

Tony Davies was also second in the 10-strong canicross race in 43.49, just over two minutes behind Forest of Dean AC winner Ash O'Donnell.

The previous week had seen another big Blazers turn out at the second Hereford Couriers 5k race.

Gavin Jones was 19th in 17.34, and also going under 20 minutes were Kieron Brown 21st (17.45), Tom Walmsley 31st (18.09), Nick Cook 41st (18.40) and Jake McBride 44th (18.47).

Other times were Martin Turner (20.24), Megan Gore (20.31) who placed 11th woman, Andrew Stephens (20.59), Andrew Wright (21.31), Richard Bevan (22.19), Jess Rainey (22.22), Emma Davies (23.01), Emma Humphries (23.22), and Rosie Davies (23.36).

Sunday (May 24) also saw Blazers beat a trail to the Dymock 5 Mile and Half Marathon, which as well as the notoriously undulating route provided scorching hot conditions.

In the Dymock 5 Mile, Grant White placed ninth in 31.54, just over two minutes behind Wye Valley winner Luke Moseley, while club mate Rachael Aitken (36.54) was third fastest woman just over a minute behind fastest female Brittany Teague of Western Tempo.

Other Blazers in action were Tony Davies (38.16), Kate Loveridge (38.45), Emma Davies (39.18), Andrew Marshall (40.57) and Adam Gray (48.33).

In the Dymock Half in the brutal heat, Gary Griffiths finished 25th in 1.46.33, and also going the extra mile were Vanessa Ward (2.04.16) and Leah Marsden (2.28.00).