Sunday, February 4th was a busy day for the Monross-trailblazers, with two big races on the winter calendar. Five members took to the start line of the annual Mayhill Massacre. This is a 9 mile race around and over Mayhill following the muddy trails.

New member Gareth Bradbury was first man home out of the team in 17th place and a time of 1 hour 16 minutes 35 seconds, this was followed by Sam Weale in 24th and 1 hour 19 minutes. James Fletcher managed an impressive 1 hour 19 minutes and 40 seconds, with Martin Scrivens in 30th with 1 hour 20 minutes and 12 seconds. Mark Scrivens finished in 50th out of the field of 276 runners in 1 hour, 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, 9 Monross-trailblazer athletes were taking part in the final of the Herefordshire Cross Country League. This one was held on the muddy, hilly trails of Nash woods above the town of Presteigne. In this race the men had to complete 6 miles and the women’s race was 3.8 miles. Gavin Jones worked hard to manage 13th overall in 44 minutes, 26 seconds. This was closely followed by Luke Gray and Andrew Stephens in 15th place with a time of 44.50 and 16th 44.54.

Bobby Prichard and Junior Male Toby Dickens had a close race finishing 21st in 46.10 and 22nd 46.15 respectively. Sam Harness followed in 41st place in 50.44 and Ian Gray rounded the men’s team off in 60 minutes, 11 seconds.

Laura Lelievre came 7th out of the women in 33 minutes 7 seconds, and Vanessa Ball finished in 38 minutes 14 seconds, 31st place, and a great achievement after a challenging game of Hockey the day before!

In the Hereford Winter Championships, which was held earlier on in the cross country league; Monross came 2nd in the Senior men’s team with Gavin Jones, Luke Gray and Bobby Prichard making the team. Gavin Jones was 2nd Senior male and Toby Dickens was 2nd Junior male.

Overall in the 2017/2018 Herefordshire Winter Cross Country League, Monross-trailblazers came 3rd out of 14 teams; led by Gavin Jones, Andrew Stephens, Luke Gray and Bobby Prichard. 18 year old Toby Dickens was 2nd Junior Male and Laure Lelievre was 3rd Senior Female.

For more information about Monross-trailblazers please email [email protected], or take a look at their website www.monross-trailblazers.co.uk for the latest training and joining information.