SUNDAY saw the inaugural running of The Doynton Hard Half Marathon which is, in the words of the organisers, a tough cross-country of approximately 13 miles.

The organisers continue: “It mostly takes place on paths and country lanes thick with mud. Through rivers swollen with winter rain and over hellish climbs and wicked descents.”

Mike Compton and Jan Short were the Dursley Running Club representatives at the race, Compton having decided to go for something new, rather than the tried and tested Riverbank Rollick, in his build up for the Dursley Dozen.

Crompton discovered that Doynton was substantially muddier, running up to his knees through a combination of mud and slurry at one point.

Despite the conditions, he came in an excellent 12th in the field, just over 10 minutes behind the winner Robert Stewart of Bristol and West who finished in a time of one hour 37:09mins.

Jan Short completed the course a little way behind Mike Compton and was rewarded for her efforts with a fourth place in her category.

Results: Mike Compton 01:47:36 12th; Jan Short 02:34:02 175th (4th FV55) Also on Sunday, the three A’s – Alice Lewis, Annette Heylings and Amanda Hensman – were at the Linda Franks five mile event at Hatherley Cheltenham.

Road running means limited mud to contend with, and a new course limited meaningful comparisons with previous events.

Alice led the team home and placed second in her category.

Annette was an impressive fifth in the FV60 category, given she is officially in the next category up!

Amanda continues to show a great deal of determination to improve, completing her second five mile race in a month placing an impressive 13th in her category.

Results: Alice Lewis, 115th , 37:42 (2nd LV55); Annette Heylings, 191st , 44:27 (5th LV60); Amanda Hensman, 209th , 47:18 (13th LV40).

The Saturday parkrun saw a big Dursley turnout at Kingsway, with four running at Chipping Sodbury.

Richard Pitts was again the fastest Dursley parkrunner and second in his age category. Graeme Hawkins posted a very impressive 23:09mins to place first V65.

Shona Darley managed a new personal best and a first in her category and was joined in achieving a PB by Lisa Gillooly, Nicki Squire, Garry Strickland and Kris Rymer.

Kingsway: Richard Pitts, 8th , 20:56 (2nd VM50); Graeme Hawkins, 23rd , 23:09 (1st VM65)PB; Neil Malpass, 32nd 24:14 (5th VM50); Shona Darley, 45th 25:14, (1st VW40)PB; Mike Hanman, 68th ,28:06(1st VM60); Kevin Proctor, 87th 29:31; (8th VM40) Charlotte Palmer, 136th 33:15; Lisa Gillooly, 148th 34:05 PB; Neil Truelove, 151st 34:48 (5th VM55); Dave Halford 155th 35:39; Nicki Squire, 159th ,36:20 PB.

Chipping Sodbury: Garry Strickland, 22nd , 22:08 (2nd VM50) PB; Russell Rolls 39th, 23:17 (6th VM40); Kris Rymer 64th 24:41 (6th VM35)PB;Zoe Fowler 170th 31:10 (9th VW35).

Dursley Running Club runs from Dursley Rugby Club on Tuesday nights. Meet at 6.15 for a 6.30 start. Hi-Viz essential.