LAST weekend saw the latest Forest of Dean Half Marathon with hundreds of runners gathering for the event, which this year boasted a new course with ‘challenging’ hill sections.

This year saw a record number of 583 registered entrants for the race, which was co-ordinated from the race headquarters at the start and finish venue, Speech House.

Mint-struck gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the first three winners in each of nine categories, while every entrant to the race received a commemorative medal, with ribbon, depicting the Forest.

Proceeds from the race, plus the sale of souvenir tee shirts, go to the organisers, the Rotary Club of the Forest of Dean, for distribution to their chosen charities.

Among the those taking part in a shorter fun run were 75 people on ’Team Bry’ who were running in memory of Bryony Hammersley who died of cancer.

The Forest of Dean Athletic Club (FoDAC) had a large contingent in the main race with several runners chalking up personal bests.

Full details of all the runners, and winners, can be found at wwww.foretofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/autumn.

Three FoDAC runners travelled a little further than the Speech House for their run on Sunday.

Alan Robertson, Daren Smith and Michael Marks run the Loch Ness Marathon with Daren Smith posting a fast time of 3hrs 19mins 7 secs.

Alan was 10th in the MV60 category with 3hrs 55mins 19secs and Michael finished in 4hrs 14mins 54secs.

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.