15 MONROSS Trailblazers runners took part in the fifth running of the North Wales Trail Marathon and Half-Marathon on Saturday 18th June.

The race was held over a 26.2 mile and 13.1 mile tracks of the well-known Coed Y Brenin forest, in the Snowdonia National Park.

This unique marathon and half marathon is established as one of the finest and hardest events in the trail running calendar. Runners get to enjoy some spectacular views, forest paths, and some single ‘technical’ tracks. The half and full marathon both follow the same route until mile 13.1, where the marathon runners then carry on to complete the second half.

The team had a great weekend with Barry Davies coming home first out of the club and an overall position of 27th, with a time of three hours 54 minutes. Luke James came in close behind with a time of three hours 56 minutes. Frequent guest runner with the club, Eluned Malone came in second lady overall with a fantastic time of three hours and 58 minutes. Sam Harness followed in four hours 44 minutes, with Gerry Meredith finishing in four hours 57 minutes not far behind.

Minutes later, club runner Laura Lelievre crossed the line with a time of five hours and eight minutes, and James Fletcher managed five hours 16 minutes. Brothers Jamie and Scott Harris, Monross-Trailblazer Guests worked hard together to finish in five hours 34 minutes, closely followed by Mark Scrivens on his debut marathon in five hours 35 minutes.

The marathon route added over 3,400ft of accent to the 26.2 mile course, which presented a real test of endurance for the 312 finishers.

Unfortunately club members Andrew Stephens, Gavin Jones and Matt Hall had to pull out of the marathon due to injuries. However, they all managed to complete the half marathon in reasonable times.

David Knapper and Vanessa Ball completed the half marathon in one hour 55 minutes and two hours 14 minutes respectively.

For more information about training with Monross-Trailblazers contact them at [email protected], www.monross-trailblazers.co.uk or visit the club’s Facebook page.