A BUMPER 69-strong field took on the six-mile Winter Sugar Loaf fell race on Saturday, starting and finishing at The Crown at Pantygelli and including a punishing 1,590ft of ascent.

Rhys Goodrick of Vegan runners again proved the main man, storming home in 40 minutes eight seconds, some 2.16 ahead of Hallam Girardet in second.

Third and flying the flag for Black Mountains club Mynydd Du was Wyndham Turner in 43.55, who finished just over a minute ahead of Neath Harriers' Iestyn Evans in fourth.

Chepstow Harriers' James Blore raced home fifth just 14 seconds back in a sprint finish with MD's Andrew Grigg who took the men's over-40 class, with just four seconds between them, followed by Chippenham Harriers' Andrew Corp seventh in 45.45 and Brecon AC's Ellis Davies eighth in 46.04.

And rounding out the top 10 were MD duo Tom Mollekin and Brett Mahoney who crossed together in 46.34 and 46.35 respectively.

Fastest woman in 19th overall was Jodi Bernand of West Cheshire AC who crossed in 52.38, 2.59 ahead of Kani Hinshelwood of Parc Bryn Bach RC, with Naomi Law of Brecon AC third fastest and quickest over-50 female in 58.23.

Category winners included – Parc Bryn Bach's Paul White (over-45) in 48.23; Sarn Helen's Dan Hooper (over-50) 49.26; MD's Ian Whistance (over-55) 51.33; MD's Stephen Priestnall (over-60) 56.22; MD's Elizabeth Gatherer (women's over-40) 61.50; MD's Hilary Keogh (women's over-60) 64.30; MD's Bryan Stadden (over-70) 67.51; Chepstow Harriers' Neil Grant (over-75) 69.42; Emma Palmer (women's over-55) 70.31.

Fell runners will be lacing up their trainers for two more races before Christmas on mountains overlooking Abergavenny –the Blorenge fell run on Saturday, November 28, over 3.5 miles, and the Skirrid Xmas race over the same distance on Saturday, December 19.