LUDLOW Runners started the new Herefordshire Summer Cross-Country Season by taking on a challenging course at Abbeydore – a circuit that featured a little bit of everything including a number of hills and two brooks to cross.

Also taking part in the opening race of the series were runners from other clubs including Wye Valley, Croft Ambrey, Hereford Triathlon Club and Malvern Joggers.

With quite a few regulars missing due to holidays, injuries or work commitments, Ludlow Runners were only able to field two teams on this occasion with 15 runners available. But they still managed to finish fifth and 14th on the night and with three more races to go, Ludlow still have a good chance to pick up points and catch those ahead of them.

There were great individual performances from the Ludlow ranks including Paul Dews who managed to overtake a number of competitors on the final hill finish on his way to 62nd. Matt Jenneson, who recently finished in the top ten at Shobdon, had another great run finishing fifth in the senior men's category while Graham Stewardson did well in his first outing in Ludlow colours – managing to beat his wife Emma.

Emily Hinton competed just days after completing a European qualifying triathlon event and there were also good performances from Thomas Powell, Paul Parker, Joanne Parker-Sterling and David Haynes.

But the shining light for Ludlow was Amy Fulford who again won her age group and finished second overall in the ladies' race.

There was some controversy in the race when a number of competitors including Ludlow pair Wendy Booker and Michele Parker went the wrong way on a poorly signed part of the route. To their credit, even though obviously disappointed, they completed the very difficult course to gain valuable points for their club.

The next race in the series takes place at Westhope on June 22 but, before then, the club has its own championship race – The Beast Of Bitterley, on Sunday.

The event is open to all and starts at the village hall at 11am. Entry is available on the day and more details are available on the Ludlow Runners website or Twitter/Facebook pages.