LOCAL athlete Matt James snatched a narrow victory in the Wye Valley Runners' Muddy Woody 6 race.

Some 300 runners took on the trails around Haugh Woods for this year's event with competitors travelling from around the county and as far afield as Birmingham for the challenge.

Hereford Couriers James clinched a narrow victory in the hard fought racing finishing the course in 44 minutes and 54 seconds, just three seconds ahead of Mike Pfeiffer, of Builth & District Running Club.

Chris Grubb of Ledbury & District Harriers took third in 46.57.

Fellow Ledbury runner Holly Gourley won the women's race in a time of 55.39, beating last year's winner Laura Tootell of Wye Valley Runners in 56.03.

Alice Godding of Ludlow Runners again used her sprinting speed to take third place just a second behind Tootell in a close finish.

Hereford Couriers took the men’s team prize with Matt James, Andy Tyler and Liam Tosh taking the honours.

In the women’s team, Croft Ambrey RC took home the prize with Gemma Mallet leading the pack, followed by Roxy Woodfield and Steph Main.

Lea Wood picked up the Wye Valley Shield, while Lynne Compton won the Jim Gray Cup.