THE FOREST of Dean Athletics Club (FoDAC) took both the men’s and women’s teams titles in this weekend’s Forest spring trails half marathon.

Katherine Matthews, of Chepstow Harriers, was the first woman home in 1hr 24mins 28sec.

A record number of FoDAC members took part in the event which is organised by the Forest of Dean Rotary Club and supported by the Forestry Commission.

There were perfect conditions for Sunday’s race which started at the Speech House and attracted a total entry of 1,335 runners – 781 women and 574 men.

The men’s team of John Hamilton, John Russell and Richard Peglar posted a combined time of 4hrs, 8mins 49secs.

The women’s team of Cherry Fowler, Helen Lipscomb and Sherryl Hall finished in 5hrs 41secs.

The second FoDAC women’s team home – Fiona Turner, Melinda Ruck and Valerie Hamilton – finished seventh with 5hrs 28mins 40secs.

The second men’s team for FoDAC – Dan Sandford, Ashley Towell and Andrew Kaye – were ninth in 4hrs 25mins 59secs.

Trish Chalk, Katherine Winterbourne and Hannah Hill of Spirit of Monmouth finished in 17th with 6hrs 04mins 16secs.

Chris Harness, Gavin Jones and Mark Scri­vens, of Monross Trailblazers, were 12th in 4hrs 46mins 33 secs while Nick Davis, Glen Meek and Royston Toon of Chepstow Harriers were 14th in 4hrs 46mins 53secs.