A TOTAL of 128 hardy souls turned up to do battle at the Rogueruns' off-road night race on Thursday 13th November.

It was a fun and eventful night with buckets of mud, puddles, twisty turning single track paths, deer sightings and crashing boars (no, not running partners banging on about split times, but actual wild boars running in front of a couple of runners!).

There were plenty of marshals dotted around the course, one nailed to a tree, looking like he could do with a good meal – a rogue skeleton strategically positioned to hasten the runners towards the finish line.

The course was so well marked with flashing signs, reflective tape and markers that even the spectacularly navigationally-challenged would have found it impossible to get lost.

It would have been hopeless trying to follow the leader though, as he finished a good 3 and a half minutes ahead of the next person in a time of 42.28 minutes (think a boar sighting might have inspired him to get a shift on).

The race, as one of the directors Andy Creber put it, was "as much fun as you can have with your clothes on".

All this activity built up thirst and hunger, and all competitors were rewarded with a free burger and chips in the pub afterwards.

Rogueruns are indebted to the marshals and helpers, without whom they would not be able to stage the event. Thanks also to the National Diving & Activity Centre in Tidenham who sponsored the event by providing head-torch prizes for the first man and woman and spot prizes.

Congratulations to prize winners who were:

1st Man, Paul Murrin, Chepstow Harriers – 42.28

2nd Man, Marcus Bennetto, Forest of Dean – 45.49

3rd Man, Duncan Bell, Chepstow Harriers – 46.20

1st MV40, Mark Matthews, Forest of Dean – 47.20

1st MV50, Max Suff, Hereford Couriers – 49.07

1st MV60, Neil Grant, Chepstow Harriers – 55.22

1st Female, Marianne Britten, Bristol & West AC – 52.27

2nd Female, Niki Morgan, Chepstow Harriers – 53.21

3rd Female, Sally Pate – 54.16

1st FV40, Sue Shergold, Forest of Dean – 1:06:02

1st FV50, Rosina Rowland, Thornbury RC – 59.31

1st FV60, Jacqui Wynds, Forest of Dean – 1:10:48

Rogueruns are staging the second night race of the season at Beechenhurst Lodge in the Forest of Dean on Saturday 13th December at 7.30 pm.

For more information or to get involved in the race themselves, runners can head to the website at http://www.rogueruns.com">www.rogueruns.com.