THERE was a strong turn out from the Forest of Dean AC at the second Beacon Dash organised by the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club.

The off-road multi terrain 10k race attracted 185 runners from across South Wales and as far afield as Ledbury and Newent.

A crisp clear morning saw the field set off in good spirits from the start to climb several hundred feet up to Trellech Beacon Trig Point before making a circuitous figure-of-eight loop back to the finish.

FoDAC’s Chloe Wheeler was fastest woman out of 74 fenmale runners, finishing in 43.36 for 21st overall, with Chepstow Harrier Sarah Bell 54 seconds back in second taking the FV40 class and her clubmate Niki Morgan in 45.09 finishing third to land the FV50 crown.

Only three runners went under 40 minutes with Les Croupiers’ Huw Evans heading the field in 38.32, and FoDAC’s Steven Harris placing fourth overall and third in the MV40 category in 40 minutes exactly.

Steve’s clubmate Dan Sandford (41.14) was seventh fastest, four seconds and one place ahead of MV50 winner Jonathan Carter of Chepstow Harriers, while FoDAC’s Cory Sherwin (41.35) was ninth.

Fastest MV60 was Chepstow Harriers’ Paul Dodd (42.51) and faests

FoDAC veteran Jacqui Wynds took first place in the FV60 category in 57.39, closely followed by clumbate Margaret Powles in 58.11.