MORE than 260 runners took part in the Mandy Wittington Newent 9k running race on Saturday, despite Storm Claudia’s wet and wild weather.

Starting at Newent Community School, the route led out onto scenic country lanes, past the old International Birds of Prey Centre near Cliffords Mesne, before looping back through the historic town centre.

Gary Priestley of Salford Harriers raced home first in the 10th anniversary Newent Runners-organised race in 31.55, just under half a minute ahead of Stratford-Upon-Avon AC's Andy Lawrence.

Forest of Dean AC's Andy Raynor was third in 32.59, followed by Sam Crowther of Cheltenham-based Western Tempo in 33.56.

Keiron Brown of MonRoss Trailblazers was 18th in 38.20, 18 seconds and three places ahead of Ben Humphries, with their fellow club mate Tom Walmsley a further 25 seconds and three places back.

Fastest woman in 20th in 38.35 was 44-year-old Patricia Dendy of Almost Athletes, followed by 58-year-old Nikki Morgan of Chepstow Harriers in 31st in 40.38, who just edged Laura Hands of Western Tempo by six seconds, with Trailblazers Megan Gore just seven seconds further back.

Other MonRoss results were Rachael Aitken – 67th – 45.16, Thomas Gore – 73rd – 46.11, Tony Davies – 84th – 46.47, Emma Humphries – 93rd – 48.39, Andrew Marshall – 110th – 49.53, Rosie Davies – 111th – 50.11, Pip Cottrell – 119th – 50.48, and Gary Griffiths – 127th – 52.05.

While local park runs paid the price of being deluged by the storm on Saturday, some Trailblazers managed to fit in 5ks further afield.

Faye Johnson was fastest woman and third quickest overall in the Lytham Hall parkrun in Lancashire, crossing in 21.35, while Gareth Bradbury ran the Exeter parkrun and finished 28th fastest in 21.37.

Emma Humphries also came home in 30.07 in the Hereford parkrun, five seconds ahead of club mate Emma Davies.