THERE was a new course best and a lung-busting record for reaching the highest point of the Kymin Dash for both men and women.

The 7.1-mile race, organised by the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club, starts with a climb to the Round House, some 850ft up the Kymin but also offers a gentle descent and bluebell-carpeted forest tracks.

Emma Wookey, of Lliswerry Harriers in Newport, took both records from Chepstow Harrier Nikki Morgan who set them in the inaugural Kymin Dash in 2013.

Wookey's overall finish of 44min 32sec took 5min 57 seconds off Morgan's record while the 10min 31sec it took to reach the top of the Kymin was 1min 44 seconds better.

Morgan was fourth although her times of 48min 39sec and 12min 6sec were improvements on the record she set.

Sherryl Hall was the first Forest of Dean Athletic Club woman home with times of 55min 08sec and 13min 55sec.

Vanessa Ball crossed the line first for Monross Trailblazers in 57min 12sec and 13min 59sec and the first woman to finish for the home club was Ruth Ward with 58min 51sec and 15min 11sec.

In the men's race Huw Evans of Cardiff club Les Croupiers shaved 41 seconds off the course record, which was set last year, finishing in 39min 50sec. His time of 9min 15sec for the top of the hill was 21 seconds better than the previous best.

Andrew Stephens, of Monross Trailblazers was second with times of 41min 56sec and 9min 56sec and Paul Murrin was third with 42min 43 sec and 9min 44sec.

First home for the Forest of Dean contingent was Chris Penny whose times of 44min 14sec and 10min 27sec put him seventh overall.

The first male finisher for Spirit of Monmouth was Paul McAfee with times of 58min 33sec and 15min 01sec.