BETHAN Logan led Hay Hotfooters to a historic team and individual double as the Herefordshire Cross Country League concluded.

The fifth and final race was hosted by Presteigne Pacers and held over a hilly woodland course in Nash Wood.

The women's competition throughout the series has been very closely contested, with just a single point separating the top three contenders at the start of the final race.

Ludlow Runners pairing of Amy Fulford and Alice Godding set the early pace through the forestry tracks during the 4.4 miles race with Hay Hotfooters' Logan shadowing their every move about 30 metres adrift.

Godding overhauled her team-mate to lead for the remainder of the testing woodland section until the runners emerged onto the wider downhill forestry track that directed them towards the finish.

It was then that Logan made her bid for glory as she swept past her rival and maintained this momentum to win by just three seconds.

This commanding performance won Logan the individual title in her first season running in the Herefordshire leagues and there was a double celebration for her Hay Hotfooters' club as they also sealed victory in the team competition for the first time in the club's history. Logan's victory was well supported by another dynamic best ever seventh place from 17-year-old Aderyn Carter and a hard working Sarah Christensen in ninth.

Ludlow Runners finished second team on the day with Croft Ambrey RC finishing third thanks to the efforts of Gemma Mallett in 10th, Emma Jones 11th and Roxy Woodfield 13th.

Wye Valley runners, led home by Laura Tootell, could only finish fifth team on the day but did just enough to hang on to take second place in the series by a single point margin from Croft Ambrey in third.

The men's race, over 6.8 miles, was more straightforward with Builth's Tim Iveson already assured of the individual title, having already convincingly won the previous four races in the series.

He suffered his first defeat as Maldwyn Harriers' Joseph Murray recorded his first ever league win by four seconds as the top two runners charged for the finish line.

Iveson's brief disappointment was soon erased as he watched his team mates triumph to finally be crowned league team champions after many years of trying and close misses. Maldwyn took second place in the series and a strong display from Croft Ambrey RC in this final race (thanks to Mark Lamonby in fourth, Will Hayward ninth, Mark Thomas 15th and Glyn Williams 21st) pushed them into the top three to feature as the top Herefordshire team.

The Herefordshire Summer Off Road League series will commence in June, with dates and venues to be announced soon.