THE largest contingent of Forest of Dean Athletic Club members to enter a race recently joined 1,700 others for the Forest of Dean Spring half marathon.

The best performance by a local runner was Niki Morgan of Chepstow Harriers who won the female veteran 45 plus category in a time of 1:29:37 and was third woman home overall.

The warm spring sunshine was in sharp contrast to last year's snow and ice.

The Forest of Dean club had two top 50 finishers – Peter Woodward who was 28th in 1:23:40 and Chris Penny came in at 39 with 1:25:20.The next five Forest runners were covered by a mere 48 seconds: Leyton Fleet 1:28:04, Daren Smith 1:28:16, Richard Peglar 1:28:38, James Dobbing 1:28:48 and Julian Boon 1:28:52.

The first lady finisher was Sarah Marley in 1:52:59 followed by Kim Chester in 1:56:52 and Jackie Green with1:57:09.

The overall winner was non-affiliated James Rodgers in 1:12:58 and the first lady was London Heathside's Ella Waldman in 1:25:01

There was also a record number of runners in the canicross – where athletes are joined by their dogs.

The first man home was Neil Smith with Fox and first lady was Cusha Lamen with Takoda and Timber. Just behind was Sarah Layzell and Bess.