HUNDREDS of intrepid runners braved the elements to race across the Severn Bridge and back in two night events.

The first Rogue Runners race saw 366 competitors battle strong winds on the five-mile there and back course from Chepstow RFC, with Forest of Dean AC 15-year-old Cory Sherwin just missing out on top slot overall by one second to Lliswerry over-40 runner Jon Belcher in a time of 29mins 44secs.

Twenty seven FoDAC runners took part in the first race, with six more finishers in the top 10 beside J15 winner Cory. Lee Kibble (30.16) and Andy Raynor (30.32) were third and fourth overall, with Wayne Bevan (31.18) fifth and Dan Sanford (32.44) in eighth placing second and third in the MV40 category.

Oliver Rennison was second J15 home in ninth (33.01) with Martyn Carruthers (33.11) one place behind taking the MV50 prize.

In 17th in 34.29 was MV55 winner Andrew Kaye, with Spirit of Monmouth’s Martin Blakebrough (36.11) second in class in 27th, and FoDAC’s Alan Robertson in 35th (36.49) scooping third in the MV60 class.

Spirit of Monmouth’s Leanne Meek was second fastest woman (36.06) overall just 11 seconds behind Caerphilly Runners’ Emma Edwards, while FoDAC’s Lyn Cro bagged the FV45 crown in 36.48 and evergreen Jacquie Wynds the FV65 title in 42.40, and their clubmate Anne Kirk grabbed third in the FV55 class in 42.50.

Only one team prize per club was allocated as FoDAC won the men’s trophy and would have taken second if allowed, while the ladies’ quartet were under three minutes short of silver in third.

Just two nights later (Friday, November 9), the second Rogue Run saw 334 competitors taken on winds of up to 40mph, with a strong headwind en route from Wales to England making a huge difference in finishing times.

Only four runners beat 34 minutes against 14 on Wednesday and the winning time was over two minutes slower.

Many runners hailed the conditions as the worst they had ever run in, but all commented on the quality and efficiency of the organisation, the friendliness and party atmosphere, and the welcome warm drinks and cake at the finish.

FoDAC were again well represented and managed to come away with notable team performances, achieving second in both mens’ and ladies’ team events.

Mike Berry (45.47) in 37th in the men’s section, Graham Bennetto (48.46) in 47th, Ashley Holford (50.59) in 56th and Paul Turner (54.39) in 63rd were the men’s team, while Mandy Knott (45.50) in 18th in the ladies’ race, Julia Evans (47.43) in 25th, Kate Berry (47.45) in 26th and Emma Parsons (48.29) in 32nd formed the ladies’ team.

On the individual front, Newent Runners’ Lynn Latham was second in the FV60 class with FoDAC’s Wendy Lawrence just one place behind in third.

And battling to the men’s V80 crown was Chepstow Harriers’ Syd Wheeler who made it there and back in one hour 1.10.