MONMOUTH saw the revival of the ever-popular Kymin Dash on Sunday (April 28) after a three-year break.

Members of the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club joined forces with the previous organisers and this year it featured a new seven-mile route which took runners up 850 feet to the top of the Kymin through the Forest before finishing in Monmouth. All the money raised went to Monmouth Aid.

The new course covered a mixed terrain, all of which is on the same side of the river and no longer involves crossing the problematic A40.

Councillor Jeana Hall deputy mayor of Monmouth, waved off the 120 runners with a white flag; a line-up which included Monmouth MP David Davies who completed the course in 53 mins and 23 seconds.

The first male and female runners to reach the summit of the Kymin were Felix Maguire and Nikki Morgan, who were later proclaimed the king and queen of the hill.

The winner of the Kymin Dash was Luke James in a time of 44 mins 1 second, and runner-up Andrew Stephens four seconds later – both from the Monross Trail Blazers. Third was Peter Ward from the Chepstow Harriers in a time of 44 mins 15 seconds.

Niki Morgan from the Chepstow Harriers was the first woman and super-veteran home in a time of 50 mins 29 seconds and runner-up was Lou Summers in a time of 51 mins 41 seconds.

The original Kymin Dash course record of 38 mins 54 seconds, was set by P. Wheeler in 1985.