JONATHAN Barnes picked up the gold medal as he won the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon on Saturday.

Rescheduled due to the inclement weather, the event drew 832 runners to the Forest as they set off from Speech House on a muddy and murky day.

Barnes (Cheltenham & County Harriers) finished in a time of 1.15.10, 40 seconds ahead of second-placed Steve Millward (Gloucester AC, 1.15.51).

Brecon AC’s Rhodri Buffett came third in a time of 1.16.39.

The fastest woman athlete was Emma Dalton, in a time of 1.28.47. The Westbury Harriers runner came 29th overall and won the FV35 category.

Second was Tegan Hooper (Stroud & District AC) in 1.31.43 as Hattie Jenkins (Almost Athletes, 1.32.03) came third.

The first Forester home was Marcus Bennetto, as the Forest of Dean AC member finished in a time of 1.22.13 to claim 10th place.

Next behind him was Cory Sherwin (1.23.49) in 14th, while Lynn Cro was the first Forest woman home in 1.42.13 and 18th female overall.

Cro also came second in the FV45 category, behind Tracey Horton (Emersons Green RC).

The Dean runners had better luck in the men’s team category, as they won the event ahead of Evesham Vale in second and third-placed Dursley Running Club.

The Forest’s female team finished eighth.

Forester John Russell (1.26.02) came second in the MV40 category behind Swindon Striders’ Corin Wilthsire (1.21.47).

Nicola Hall (2.05.46)also had a category runners-up spot, as the Forest of Dean AC runner came second in the FV60 category behind Caroline Kimberley.

Andrew Callard was the fastest member of Newent Runners home, in a time of 1.38.12 while Ruth Hayden-Cox was the fastest female member (1.41.18) and was placed 15th woman.