TWO Monross Trailblazers certainly blazed a trail when they took on the the incredible 200-mile Great Silk Run across Tajikistan.

Described as a nomadic ‘unrace’, this is less about racing and more about adventure, exploration and shared experience.

Starting at Rushan near the Afghan border in the Pamir mountains, Laura Lelievre and Kieron Brown travelled on foot roughly a marathon a day – running, hiking and walking – through the ancient Silk Road landscapes of the wild and isolated Bartang Valley and Bartang River, known as part of "The Roof of the World".

Beautiful scenery on the Great Silk Road Run
Beautiful scenery on the Great Silk Road Run (MonRoss)

Along the way, they stayed with local communities, ate the local food and wild camped, before finally reaching Karakul near the Kyrgyzstan and China borders.

There were no finish positions or times – just one seriously unforgettable journey across a country.

The Great Silk Road Run goes through 'the Roof of the World'
The Great Silk Road Run goes through 'the Roof of the World' (MonRoss)

Deriving its name from the highly lucrative historic trade of silk textiles that were primarily produced in China, the Silk Road was a network of Asian trade routes active from the second century BC until the mid-15th century, which played a central role in facilitating economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between the Eastern and Western worlds.

"What an achievement and what an adventure. Huge congratulations to you both!" posted the club.

Somewhat closer to home, but still going the extra mile, the club's Emma Davies took on the gruelling Triathlon Y Bala – Legend Triathlon.

Emma Davies took on the epic Bala trilthlon
Emma Davies took on the epic Bala trilthlon (MonRoss)

The huge test of endurance comprised a 1,900m swim, an 87.3km bike ride and an 18.3km run, and she crossed the finish line in 6.22.06 to secure second in the women's over-50 category.

Emma’s swim took 51.46, her ride 3.37.08 and her run 1.44.42.

The club posted: "All those hours of early-morning training across swim, bike, and run truly paid off. We are all so proud of you, Emma – another inspiring result!"

Elsewhere, two Trailblazers took on the Cheltenham Half Marathon.

Adam Teague came home in one hour 50 minutes 51 seconds, smashing out a new PB, while Helena Reay crossed the line in 2.22.

Adam Teague and Helena Reay took on the Cheltenham Half
Adam Teague and Helena Reay took on the Cheltenham Half (MonRoss)

Local runners also joined a 24-hour run raising money for the homeless at Hereford Cathedral (www.the24hourrun.co.uk/events/hereford).

The Vennture event hosted by Hereford Couriers and targeting £7,500 featured a 5km lap around the city centre from midday on Saturday to midday on Sunday, with runners doing as many laps as they wanted.

Runners joined the 24-hour Run Against Homelessness
Runners joined the 24-hour Run Against Homelessness (MonRoss)

Meanwhile, Saturday’s Ross-on-Wye parkrun attracted 95 runners, with Richard Williams setting the pace over the 5k course in 19.35, 22 seconds ahead of Trailblazers’ Grant White.

Ben Lawrence was third home in a PB 21.01, just 12 seconds ahead of Forest of Dean AC over-50 Dan Sandford.

Blazers Trina Sami was fastest woman in 12th, crossing in 24.29, followed by Cheltenham Tri Club’s Claire Ford in 24.57 and Laura Jordan in 26.17.

The free parkrun starts every Saturday at the Ross Sports Centre at 9am. To get involved, go to www.parkrun.org.uk/rossonwye/

Meanwhile, MonRoss Trailblazers are gearing up for their Blaze the Biblins Trail Race through ancient woodland, past historic ironworks, along picturesque riverbanks and up the infamous Demon Hill climb on Sunday, October 11.

The race is filling up and entries are open until midnight on 4 October at www.entrycentral.com/blazethebiblins