The train is coming for Newport runners

Several club members travelled to Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast for the race with a difference.

As well as competing with other athletes and the clock, they were trying to outrun one of the steam trains on the celebrated narrow gauge railway.

The race, run annually since 1984, begins on the crest of the railway bridge on the sound of the railway engine's whistle.

The runners then have one hour and 47 minutes to complete the course and beat the train.

It's a tough task – the first and last miles are along roads, but the second half of the race is tougher than the first with numerous extra climbs.

David Brown and Ian Vann didn't manage to beat the train, but still did well to get round in two hours, four minutes, 11 seconds and 2:05:03 respectively.

There was also a 10K Quarry Challenge race for those runners who didn't fancy the longer distance. Several runners thought they would be more comfortable with that event.

But, again it wasn't easy, the course involving some steep descents and sharp climbs as well as fields, trees and shoulder-high bracken before crossing the finish line.

Conditions were very warm for both races, but Newport's athletes stuck to their task and kept going. Maurice Reid did well to finish in 51:13 with John Metzger just 10 minutes behind him in 61:31.

Gary Bowness ran steadily to finish in 79:36 with Petra Leach, who injured herself on the rough terrain, still managing to keep going and finish in 81:53.

Fiona Evans and Helen Reid supported each other and completed the event together in 93:12.