MONROSS Trailblazers finished their first race of 2015 with two runners placed inside the top ten at the 10th Kymin Winter fell race on Saturday 3rd January.

The race route is just 4 miles but takes in 1,100 feet on elevation, half of that climb coming in the first mile.

After a short road climb, conditions became testing underfoot because of rain so the 128 runners slipped and shimmied their way up to the end of the first climb before descending for half a mile and catching their breath.

More pain was dished out soon after, this time with a 500ft climb over 1.25 miles; those over indulging over the Christmas and New Year began to falter and slow.

With the summit reached, the runners pressed on, knowing the worst was over and the mad descent to the finish commenced, weaving through mud and rain soaked gulleys to the line.

Andrew Stephens was the fastest Trailblazer once again, finishing third in 32:14. Phil Thomas secured 8th in 35:31, Luke James followed up in 17th in 37:31 with Matt Hall close behind in 37:40.

Sam Harness ran well to come in 41:16 and 46th place, followed by James Fletcher in 51st at 41:40.

Vanessa Ball completed the Monross contingent in 85th with 46:53.

To prove just how difficult the conditions were Monross cameraman Mike Bennett slipped in the mud as he followed Vanessa in, proving Mudclaws are recommended even for filming on this terrain.