SEPTUAGENARIAN runner Brian Davies showed his durability on the notoriously gruelling Croft Castle course to continue his impressive sequence of having competed in every one of the 31 races at the historic Herefordshire venue.

The 72-year-old Davies finished near the back of the field in 118th place, but his best time over the course would have been good enough to finish in the top three on the day.

Wye Valley’s remarkable Harry Franklin, just a few days short of his 80th birthday, also maintained his record of being the oldest runner to compete in the Herefordshire Cross Country League, finishing 124th.

The second event of the season attracted a record field of 212 finishers, with the runners testing their strength and endurance on the long uphill hauls to the top of Croft Ambrey hill fort, followed by the tricky and slippery muddy descents down into Fishpool valley.

Athletes from the Newtown-based Maldwyn Harriers took the individual honours, but it was the Wye Valley women who were the stars of the show as they had nine finishers in the top 15 to dominate their race.

The event is one of two in the series where the women run a shorter distance than the men as they cut off on a curtailed second lap as the men complete three full laps. A record 83 women completed the race.

Tim Davies led his Maldwyn men’s team to their first league victory with Croft Ambrey finishing second thanks to battling displays from Stacey Morgan (fifth), Mark Lamonby (seventh), Sam Mayglothling (eighth) and Dave George (23rd). After two races Maldwyn and Croft Ambrey share the lead in the battle for the title, with Wye Valley one point behind.

The next race is at Ufton Court on Sunday, November 29.