TWENTY Chepstow Harriers raced or helped at the off-road night race at Mallards Pike, in the Forest of Dean, on Thursday 12th March.

Rogueruns, who organised the race, donated 25 per cent of all runners' entry fees to Comic Relief.

In all £177 was raised and donated to Comic Relief on Red Nose Day. The race had a Comic Relief theme with free red nose fairy cakes for all the finishers, and some jokes from the race organisers at the pre-race briefing.

Chepstow Harriers did very well on the night, with five prize winners, including Paul Murrin, second man, Rob Hook, first veteran 50, Esther Barrett, first female veteran 40, Denise Evans, first female veteran 50, and Niki Morgan, first female.

The off-road night race was the last in Rogueruns' winter off-road night series, and was the most challenging and interesting course.

It was a single lap of around five miles with a great variety of running terrain.

Competitors faced steep climbs, twisting paths in dense woodland, single track mountain bike trails on pine needles, muddy footpaths, and clean leafy paths on ridges.

There was also a smooth gravel path around the lake for those with enough left in the tank for a sprint finish.

Route-finding was not an issue as the course was well marked with reflective tape, arrow and ground markers.

Harrier Paul Murrin, said "I thought the reflective markers were moving, then I realised I was watching a herd of deer!"

Race organiser Paul Dodd said "We were proud to have supported Comic Relief through our off-road night race.

"Not only did taking part in the event give runners a sense of personal achievement, but they will also be helping to alleviate suffering of others in the world."