DURSLEY RC members Liz Forsey and Dan Anderson raced in the Coastal Trail Series Half Marathon Dorset recently.

The race, despite being billed as a half marathon, was 16.3 miles in length with 4,000ft of climb.

The course took in beautiful parts of the Dorset coast line, including Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, however the race will remain memorable for the pair for a very different reason.

"It was murderous” said Anderson, who had never ran a race as steep as this one, despite running up Mont Blanc.

Forsey completed the course in four hours, 15 minutes and 57 seconds, whilst Anderson finished fifth in a time of 02:28:49. To put this into perspective he ran the Stroud Half in 01:20:59.

Just 11 days after they completed the gruelling Lanzarote running challenge, Mel and Ray Williams completed the international half marathon in Lanzarote.

The first 12 km was undulating, but Ray Williams was then caught out by a 5k downhill section. He ran too fast and, with the temperature rising up into the 80s, had to stop to stretch out calf cramp.

A recurrence of the cramp kicked in during the last 4km, but he was, nevertheless, very pleased to finish in a time of 1.45.25.

Mel Williams again paced her race well and completed the race in a very respectable 1.52.36, earning second place in her age group.

Results: Ray Williams, 01.45.25 166th (5th V55); Mel Williams 01.52.36 235th (2nd FV55).

The same weekend saw Bath University host the third fixture of the Gwent Cross Country League.

The event saw a huge turn out for the Avon County Championships, with 384 runners on the start line for the men’s race.

The race saw business as usual in the Gwent League for Dursley with Kevin Jackson leading the Hobbs pairing in.

Results: Kevin Jackson 41:28 238th; Ian Hobbs 44.01 286th; Roly Hobbs 51:10 369th.

Alice Lewis finished first in her age category at the Forest of Dean Christmas Tree race.

The club runs from Dursley Rugby Club on Tuesday nights. Meet 6.15pm for 6.30pm.