THE second running of the Newent Nine managed to avoid the worst of Storm Angus with Stephen McAteer picking up the coveted Cobblers’ Shield for the quickest local runner home.

He finished in 37mins 42secs with the best Newent woman Emma Poole who finished in 48mins 22secs.

The overall winner was Marcus England who completed the course of around nine kilometres (5.6 miles) in a record time of 33 mins 42secs.

The Cheltenham and County Harrier described the course as “challenging but fun.”

The fastest woman was Gemma Hargreaves of Cheltenham-based Almost Athletes in 37mins 43secs.

Some 260 runners lined up for the start at Newent School on Sunday morning with the course taking them through Clifford’s Mesne and Kents Green before finishing in the town.

Among the local category winners were Forest of Dean Athletic Club’s Cherry Fowler in the FV40 and Mick Strange in the MV60.

Other Newent Runners Henry Willis (41mins 31secs), Philip Rowe (46mins 49secs), Claire Swift (48mins 16secs), Heather Roberts (49mins 39secs) Catherine Jones (54mins 1sec) Meg Veale (54 mins 43secs) and Gemma Carter (60mins 29secs).