CROFT Ambrey Running Club won the female team award at the 16th annual Shobdon Wood Race.

Gemma Mallett, winner of the Hereford Half Marathon, finished third, while Steph Main and Robyn Gore were 10th and 12th respectively.

Mallett had built an early lead but, as the race progressed, she was caught and overtaken by Lucy Cambridge of Wolverhampton & Bilston AC and Welsh international Ann Nixon (Forest of Dean). Nixon proved to be the stronger over the final stages down through the last patch of bluebell glory and sprinted across the finish line to win by 18 seconds, with Cambridge taking the runner-up place for the second consecutive year. Mallett was a further 15 seconds adrift.

Ludlow Runners dominated the men's race, with the whole event attracting 139 finishers.

Last year's winner, Gabriel Jay, of Brecon AC, and Ludlow's Andrew Salt set the early pace as the runners ran along the high section of the Mortimer Trail over the top of Shobdon Hill.

But, as the going got tougher, it was veteran runner Jamie Shingler of Ludlow Runners, who forged his way to the front to win the race by 23 seconds.

Kay continued the battle to hang on to his title, but eventually finished second, with Hereford Couriers' Matt James completing the top three.

Shingler was well supported by Salt in fifth place and Matthew Yapp in sixth, enabling Ludlow to win the team award.