A TRIO of Monmouth Tri Club members have been acing some aquatic challenges while the open water is still toasty from the summer sun, reports KELLY SALTER. 

Despite choppy seas, Phil Tilley and Andrew Hillis both made a big splash in the Swansea Bay Shark Swim on Sunday.

Phil came first in his age category and 19th overall on the 3000m course, while Andrew took on the 1500m and came seventh in his age group and 46th overall.  

Meanwhile, fellow member Claire Jackson thrashed her splash at the August LPS Events Cotswolds Swim Festival, coming home first woman in the 40 to 50 age group, and seventh female overall in the 3.8km swim.

Claire Jackson
Claire Jackson. Photo: Monmouth Tri Club (Monmouth Tri Club)

Claire demolished the course, which took place at Lake 62 near Cirencester, in 1 hour 11 mins, 53 secs to place 13th overall.

For more information on Monmouth Tri Club get in touch via [email protected] 

Meanwhile, back on dry land, 156 runners headed to Redwick for the fourth and final Rose Inn race of the summer.

Based at the village hall, the flat and fast four-mile road race involved two laps of the course. 

Fastest overall was Phillip Matthews of Parc Bryn Bach in a blistering 19.50, who finished 25 seconds ahead of Les Croupiers’ Tadhgh Keating.

Quickest woman was Louise Flynn of Les Croupiers in 22.51, followed by Antoinette Rose of Lliswerry in 24.27.

Host club Harriers also enjoyed success, with Anthony Marshall fastest over-60 man in 24.14 and Cherry Fowler best over-55 woman in 26.21.

The Spirit runners at the Rose Inn race
The Spirit runners at the Rose Inn race. Photo: SoMRC (SoMRC)

Spirit of Monmouth RC’s Julie Glyn-Jones entered all the races of the series and had a great run, just seconds off matching her PB of the whole series crossing in 37.27, reports VICKY ROBERTS.

Not far behind and running well, club mate Andrew enjoyed running the course for the first time to finish in 38.16.

Julie Gee also raced at every race of the series and crossed in 43.18.

Julie Glyn-Jones then continued her race form at the Crickhowell 10k, a flat out-and-back race along the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal.

Julie Glyn-Jones cracked on in the Crickhowell 10k
Julie Glyn-Jones cracked on in the Crickhowell 10k. Photo: SoMRC (SoMRC)

Seventy three runners enjoyed the scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park and all finished with a medal.

Julie enjoyed the route “even though it was very hot”and finished in 62.20.

Chris Baber was also flying the Spirit colours at the Bath Two Tunnels 10k, a special race that not only takes in many of the city's beautiful attractions, but also has the longest underground section for each race distance in the UK.

Chris Baber enjoyed the Bath 10k Tunnels race
Chris Baber enjoyed the Bath 10k Tunnels race. Photo: SoMRC (SoMRC)

Chris enjoyed the race, running though the 408m-long Devonshire Tunnel before entering the 1,672m Combe Down Tunnel, and finished in 55.13.

Anyone interested in running who fancies joining a local club can take a look at spiritofmonmouth.co.uk or contact [email protected] for more information.

Spirit are a friendly and fun club – with a nice competitive edge, and a great social heart – and are affiliated to Welsh Athletics and cater for a wide range of running abilities.