They made quite a splash in the Rogue Runs Off-Road Night Race on 11 January 2024. Part of the 5.3-mile course at Piercefield Park in the Wye Valley AONB was waterlogged and together with the restricted vision, hills, and tricky trails, this was not an evening for the racing snakes to burnish their credentials!

Instead, it was survival of the fittest and most determined as 172 runners completed the testing course in 1:57:45. Every competitor used a mandatory headtorch and the route was fully waymarked with over 500 specially made reflective signs and flashing arrows, which added to the special atmosphere that can only be found in night trail races.

Times were still impressive at the front, with many runners nearing their best for 10K on the road. Daniel Shepherd (Bristol & West AC, 37:41) drew four other men under 40 minutes. Dean Jones (Weston Tempo, 38:23) was second and closely followed by M40 category winner Iain Porter (CLC Striders, 38:29), M40 Alex Sampson (Westbury Harriers, 39:12) and M50 Paul Murrin (Chepstow Harriers, 39:35).

Hannah Large (41:34) led Westbury Harriers to team success in the women's race – matching their male team colleagues – followed by Amy Brammar (Bristol & West AC, 44:49) and Olivia Zeltner (Westbury Harriers, 45:01). Fourth-placed Sarah Bell (W45 Chepstow Harriers, 45:58) was the first of the higher age-group prize winners.

Rogue Runs Off-Road Night Race results include age-grading and the highest scores were 66.49% by W50 Lisa Jeffrey (Chepstow Harriers, 45:11) and 66.46% by M60 Tony Marshall, also of Chepstow Harriers, who finished in 42:16.

The Race HQ was hosted at the comfortable Chepstow Racecourse bar area where the inclusive hot drinks and legendary cakes were served – all included in the entry fee of just £14 (affiliated) or £16 (unaffiliated). Also included were the finishers' medals and free photos by Tosh.

Future race details are at the RogueRuns website here.  

Full results are available via the runABC South race listing here.

Photos courtesy Tosh for Rogue Runs