IT proved a busy weekend of racing for MonRoss Trail-blazers, with two city half marathons and an epic 30k run around the Elan Valley.

Three club members headed over the border for the Newport Half Marathon on Sunday, to race a fast riverside course which attracted a 1,500-strong field.

Starting on Usk Way at the Riverfront in the heart of the city, the route passed over the SDR Bridge, and headed for the Cenotaph at Clarence Place and through Caerleon, before following the River Usk back to Newport over the Millennium and SDR bridges, and the final mile along the river path to finish behind the university.

Rich Foster stormed to 14th place overall, running a superb 1 hour 17 mins 47 secs and finishing sixth in his category.

Rob Nicholls was 69th overall, finishing in 1.23.43, while Becca Foster ran a PB 1.44.58, placing 465th and 14th in her category.

The same day, Toby Dickens joined more than 10,000 runners in the waterfront Brighton Half Marathon, which was similarly bathed in Spring sunshine, and ran a PB 1.18.32.

Elsewhere, Rosie Davies went the extra mile taking on the Rhayader Round the Lakes 30km – a stunning road race, with over four miles of climbing from the start, followed by 14 miles sweeping through some breathtaking Welsh scenery around the reservoirs.

The dams and 73-mile aqueduct of the Elan Valley were built over a hundred years ago to supply clean water to Birmingham – an epic feat of civil engineering within an area of outstanding scenic beauty.

Having tackled the event last year in snowy conditions, Rosie got to enjoy much more enjoyable Spring weather this time and put in a great performance going 20 minutes quicker, crossing in 3.01.53, for 248th overall and 19th in her category.