The M48 Severn Bridge crossing at Chepstow was closed on Sunday morning (28 August) as the iconic stretch of motorway between England and Wales, suspended 47 metres above the River Severn, became a traffic-free playground for 956 runners in the annual Severn Bridge Half Marathon and 10K.

With four crossings of the bridge to negotiate in the half marathon, this is far from a flat course and there is a sting in the tail but that doesn't put people off the unique experience of "running between sea and sky", as the website promises. 

Bagpiper John Campbell was missing this year – recovering well from surgery, apparently – but the atmosphere was still spine-tingling, with far-reaching views of the Severn Estuary below.

The 10K was won by Arron Kearney (Bideford AAC, 34:50) by exactly a minute from Archie Fox (Severn AC, 35:50). Marcus Bennetto (Forest of Dean AC, 37:17) was third and M60 David James (Les Croupiers AC, 38:48) was an impressive first master athlete. Chepstow Harriers took the team prize.

W50 Nicki Morgan (Chepstow Harriers, 40:46) claimed the women's top prize from W40 Louise Harris (Mojo, 42:12) and Emma Price-Stephens (Pont-Y-Pwl & District Runners, 42:31) who led her club to team success.  

Hallam Girardet (Mynydd Du Mountain Runners, 1:14:12) was untroubled by the gradients as he romped home in the half marathon ahead of Callum Moore (Great Western Runners, 1:15:54) and Andy Raynor (Forest of Dean AC, 1:16:05). M40 Edward Donovan (Les Croupiers RC, 1:18:28) secured the master's prize.

The top three women were among 40 athletes running 90 minutes or less and they were W45 Annabel Granger (Bristol & West AC, 1:22:30), Kelly Dicks (Great Western Runners, 1:23:41) and W35 Joanna Hudson (Plymouth Harriers, 1:27:04).

In the team awards, it was the men of Great Western Runners and Lliswerry Runners' women who took the leading honours.

Full results and previous reports are available via runABC South race listing here

Pre-race image courtesy Severn Bridge Half Marathon on Facebook