NEARLY 1,800 runners took part in this year’s Spring Trails Half Marathon with Stroud & District AC member Garry Hughes winning the event.

Hughes finished the 13.1-mile course, which started at Speech House field, working its way past tourism spots Beechenhurst and Speculation.

Participants then went through woodland near Brierley and the old Northern United colliery, before passing the Dilke Hospital and heading out to Mallards Pike.

Runners then returned back to Speech House to finish the race.

Hughes completed the race in 1.15.23, a full minute ahead of second-placed Oliver Williams (Les Croupiers RC).

Phillip Parry (Bristol & West AC) came third in a time of 1.17.04, while Christian Jones (Wye Valley Runners) was eighth in 1.21.17.

Katharine Matthews (Chepstow Harriers) was the first woman home, finishing 22nd overall in a time of 1.24.28.

A record number of Forest of Dean AC members took part, and perfect weather conditions helped provide a number of PBs and some excellent placings.

John Russell was the first Forester to finish the race in a time of 1.22.08.

Cherry Fowler, who was also the first Forest woman home, came second LV45 in 1.35.47, and Michael Strange was the runner up in the MV60 category in 1.36.04. Chris Moore came third in the MV60 in 1.39.43.

Both the Men and Ladies teams swept the board and won both categories.

Other results included John Hamilton, who was 15th in 1.22.28; Richard Pegler, 21st in 1.24.11; Helen Lipscomb in 1.39.39 and Sherryl Hall in 1.45.14.

Five Newent Runners members took part, with Andrew Callard the first member home in 1:37:39.

He was followed by Philip Rowe in 1:42:31 (PB) and first lady Julie Willis in 1:50:08.

Adele Mitchell and Heather Roberts followed in 2:08:29 and 2:10:22 respectively.

The Mad Dog Jog – the canicross event taking place alongside the half marathon – was hailed a ’great success’ by organisers thanks to a huge number of sponsors and volunteers.

150 competitors took part and the event saw £1,500 raised for Breast Cancer Now and Cheltenham Animal Shelter.

The winner of the canicross half marathon was Jason Pascoe and his two dogs in 1h13, while Kim Mazzucca was the first lady home and fastest Forester in 1h18.

The 6k fun run was won by Matthew Robinson in 21.17 while the fastest Forester in the fun run was 14-year-old Oliver Rennsion in the same time.

For more results and photos, read The Forester newspaper.