A BEAUTIFUL morning welcomed four MonRoss Trailblazers at the Worcester City Runs on Sunday, as more than 5,000 running fans winged in for a weekend of racing, including the likes of event founder Steve Cram and former world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe.

The Trailblazers quartet took part alongside 2,400 other runners in Sunday's 10k, Tony Davies running 'his fastest 10k in years' completing the course in 48mins 59seconds to finish 390th.

Catherine Finlay also got a Strava 10km PB, finishing fifth in her age category from over 200 runners and 406th overall in 49.13.

Just behind, Rob Vidler and Rachael Aitken finished the race one second apart from each other, both recording 10km PBs of 49.28 and 48.29 seconds, finishing 430th and 428th respectively.

Meanwhile, nine Spirit of Monmouth runners took part in their monthly park run social on Saturday, reports VICKY ROBERTS.

September's meet was at Mallards Pike in the Forest of Dean, where the 3.1-mile parkrun course was made up of trail paths through beautiful woods, starting with a 1.5 mile climb and continuing with some flat and then downhill.

Spirit runners enjoyed their monthly social run at Cannop Ponds
Spirit runners enjoyed their monthly social run at Cannop Ponds. Photo: SoMRC (SoMRC)

Katie Adams and Kirk Hill were first Spirits to finish with the former crossing in 20.56 just two seconds ahead of the latter.

Also taking part were Robert Nelson, Claire Finley, Renske Bouwens, Charlotte Brown, Linda Lloyd, Vicky Roberts and Phil Chadwick.

An enjoyable morning out for the Spirit social finished with bacon sandwiches in the cafe.

Steve Reason ran the Lake Vrynwy half marathon.
Steve Reason ran the Lake Vrynwy half marathon. Photo: SoMRC (SoMRC)

Meanwhile, Spirit's Steve Reason raced at the Lake Vrynwy half marathon – a one-lap race starting and finishing in the village of Llanwddyn.

The route ran clockwise around the lake and offered spectacular views, although Steve described the race as 'tough', which started with a mile climb.

Steve struggled at around mile 8, but after talking to himself he regained a good pace to finish in 2.39.00.

Sian Fielding was also racing in Spirit colours at the weekend in the Velindre Castle to Castle 11-mile race from Caerphilly to Cardiff along the Taff Trail.

Sian ran with work colleagues from Parc Bryn Bach running Club as practice for the Cardiff Half and crossed the finish line in 1.41.00.

Meanwhile, Spirit’s Gareth Jones set the benchmark in Saturday’s 5k Monmouth parkrun, crossing the line in 19.27 at the head of a 114-strong field.

James Malbon was second in 20.17, followed by Graham Goff of St Weonard's Whippets in 20.37 and Spirits’ Toni Merola in 21.05.

Fastest woman was Alison Stuart in 21.14, followed by Stephanie Loveland in 21.48 and Rose Goodwin-Jones with 22.33.