HILLS, mud and rivers were the order of the day for Forest of Dean Athletics Club on Sunday, when members tackled the Doynton Hard Half Marathon.

Spokesperson for the group, Patrick Rennison, said: “The race, organised by Emersons Green Running Club takes place in the southern Cotswolds and was first ‘run’ in 2016. 

“The organisers describe the race as taking place ‘on public footpaths, bridleways and country lanes thick with mud and other sticky things that occur naturally in the countryside.  Through rivers swollen with winter rain and over hills with hellish climbs and wicked descents’. 

“I’m told it takes place in January simply because there is more rain and so more mud.  It also involves climbing 338 meters (over 1,100 ft) so not surprisingly, the above combination makes completing it, a far tougher task than the great majority of half marathons.”

The first forest of Dean runner back was Richard Peglar in 2hrs 02 mins 54secs, followed by Patrick Rennison in 2hrs 03mins 56secs and Cherry Fowler in 2hrs 07mins 29secs.  In addition Cherry took a very credible fifth place out of 45 in her age group.  Jo Edwards finished in 2hrs 24mins 14secs and Chris Hawkins in 2hrs 30mins16secs.