ACCOMPLISHED local runner Jonathon Barnes has joined Hereford Couriers Running Club after several years competing for Cheltenham Harriers.

Barnes has impressive personal bests from five kilometres through to the marathon, and in 2019 a time of three hours and six minutes at the Gloucester 50k earnt Jon a call-up to the England team for the Anglo Celtic Plate in Perth Scotland later that year.

Barnes’ running career also has seen him become UK trail running champion on three occasions and runner up twice.

Barnes’ debut race for the club was picking up a solid second place at the final Herefordshire Winter Cross Country race at Presteigne.

“Although not being in the best shape at the moment it was great to be back running in a Hereford club vest and running the league I won back nine years ago,” said Barnes.

“I can’t wait to get back to my best and represent the Couriers and Herefordshire in local, national and international races this year and help put the club on the map along with helping others long the way.”

Barnes is also an experienced duathlete and won a European bronze medal at the 2017 sprint duathlon championships and hopes to increase his international honours at this year’s European middle distance champs in April, European cross duathlon championships in June and the world long distance champs in September.

Barnes, who has been involved in the Herefordshire running scene since starting with coach Vic Tarrants group back when he was 16 years old, also leads the successful training group Hereford Harriers training group which has helped many runners throughout the county improve over the last few years.

The group meet on a Wednesday evening at Hereford Leisure Centre, 6:30pm.

Mike Link, chairman of Hereford Couriers said: “It has been a massive boost to the club to have a runner of Jon’s stature join us, having people like Jon involved and racing for the club will continue to drive the club forward.

“We’ve got a very exciting 12 months ahead of us.”

Hereford Couriers have been busy planning the spring Hereford 5k Series, entries are now open for the three-race series.

Visit https://www.entrycentral.com/Hereford-5K-series for full details and to enter.