IN what is becoming an annual pilgrimage for Witham Running Club members, four of them were among the 500 runners taking on the Half Marathon in Coed y Brenin for the Trail Marathon Wales.

The event boasts more than 2,000ft of climbing, but in contrast to 2017's hot and sunny weather, this year saw more typically British weather, with rain and drizzle for the most part of the morning.

The race starts with a brutal climb of about 400ft in the first mile before dropping down the other side of the valley and sending runners into the woods for some technical descents, then another huge climb and descent before the final climb named 'the sting in the tail' which is an especially steep end to a three-mile section of climbing.

All four of Witham's runners improved on the previous year's times, with Scott Darney first home of the quartet.

He crossed the finish line in one hour 42 minutes 14 seconds, claiming the tenth male spot for his efforts.

James Crisp followed closely behind a time of 1:44:40, to claim the third MV40 spot and 15th male, while Bill Smythe knocked 34 minutes off his time from last year to cruise home in 2:01:40.

James Kennerly was more than ten minutes quicker with a time of 2:22:25.

Meanwhile, a lot more local was the Ridley Round Half - a half marathon where extra points are earned for drinking a pint at each pub stopped at.

Andy White managed an impressive 4½ pints, with Emma Austin, Becky Grimwood, Tracey Martin, Jo Smythe and Penny Clarke also taking part.

Mark Finbow was running in Richmond at the Ranelagh Harriers 10K and secured an impressive personal best in a time of 34:32 as he took more than 30 seconds off his previous record.

Giles Sowerby ventured to Bedford to take on the super flat and fast course, on a muggy, breezy day and came home in 40:02.

There were 46 runners competing at the second race of the John Roberts Summer 5K Series.

The 5k record for the V40 male was broken by David Hunt by thousands of a second with a time of 17:31 and the ladies' open record was equalled by Rachel Sweatt with 18:16, however the previous record was not on a certified course so Sweatt takes the record.

RESULTS: Top three ladies: Rachel Sweatt 18:16:00 (WRC Ladies Open Record), Tanya Cregan 22:21:00, Emma Fox 22:25:00. Top three men: David Hunt 17:31:00 (WRC M40 Record), James Crisp 18:53:00, Giles Sowerby 18:56:00.