NEARLY 100 runners reached for the skies in the annual Blorenge Winter fell run on Saturday.

And coming out of the mist on top to win was Jonathan Ford of Abergavenny-based Mynydd Du Fell club, who covered the 5.7km course up and back from Llanfoist village in 36 minutes 26 seconds.

Wilf Evans of Cardiff Runners was second 58 seconds back, as runners faced an arduous climb of 485m to the summit.

Ryan Jones was third home in 39.29, winning a sprint for the line by eight seconds from fastest over-50, Paul Murrin of Chepstow Harriers.

Fifth and second over-50 was Andrew Tyler of Hereford Couriers in 40.01, eight seconds up on Will Argo, with MD's Tom Mollekin seventh just three seconds back.

MD's Ian Whistance was third-over-50 and 10th overall in 41.10, beating over-40 winner Richard Foster of MonRoss Trailblazers by 22 seconds and one place, who pipped fastest woman Bethan Logan, also of MD, by one second.

Second woman was Katie Ironside of Beacons fell club Mynyddwr De Cymru in 42.31, with Sandra Helk of Vegan Runners third in 46.58.

MDC's Simon Darke took the men's over-60 honours in 47.54, pipping MD's Andy Creber by 15 seconds, with club mate Paul Colley-Davies third in 51.00

Donna Grant of MDC was fourth and fastest over-40 woman in 48.55, just ahead of over-50 quickest woman and new age-group record holder Debbie Stenner of MD, in 49.34.

Sixth woman home was MDC's Briony Latter in 49.54, while Flora Gunner of Croft Ambrey RC took the women's over-60 honour in 54.59, with MD's Rona Davies second in 57.58 and Ellie Salisbury of Eryri Harriers third in 58.24.

Guy Whitmarsh showed age is no object taking the men's over-70 class in 60.03, beating Forest of Dean AC's Owen McLaughlin by 1.37, with Croft Ambrey's Gary Gunner third in 76.45.