OVER 250 runners took part in the annual Kymin Dash on Sunday with competitors tackling a challenging 7.1 mile course.

The event, which has raised around £1,000 for St Michael’s Hospice Hereford, started with an ascent to the Round House on top of the Kymin, a local viewpoint at around 850ft, before descending on a scenic loop of the Wye Valley. 256 runners completed the course.

Writing on the event’s Facebook page after the event, races director Emma King said: “The Kymin Dash was a great success and best turn out yet.

“Big thanks to my team Karen Barratt, Stuart Kramer, Lee James and John Pringle as I couldn’t have done it without you.

“Also huge thanks to everyone that volunteered your time to help out today and to all the runners as without you we would not have a race, see you next year.”

Winner of the event and King of the Hill, the first runner up the hill, was Huw Evans who completed the event in 40.06. Richard Purkiss finished second with a time of 41.52 and Jack Turner followed with a time of 42.30.

First woman home was Amy Ballon Tyre with a time of 48.44. Fastest Spirit of Monmouth runner, second female and Queen of the Hill was Alice Taylor who finished the course in 48.59.

Osbaston man David James finished in 1.02.35 in training for this year’s London Marathon, raising money for Monmouthshire Stroke Association and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) after wife and mother Sue James lost half of her sight after suffering a stroke in February 2015.

Any money raised by the event will be matched by Barclays Bank as part of their Matched Fundraising programme.

The race was supported by Monmouth Sports Club and Walford Timber, with Timpsons (trophies), One Stop (wine prizes), Co-op (fruit) and Emma Webster Flowers.