THERE were some fantastic performances by Malvern Buzzards Running Club members in one of Gloucestershire’s iconic cross-country events.

The May Hill Massacre is a gruelling course which starts and finishes in the private Huntley Estate near Gloucester.

It was a cool, dry, sunny morning as nine Malvern Buzzards turned out for this very challenging event to the top of Mayhill.

One 7.7mile lap would have been enough for most, but five Buzzards opted for the Mayhill Mayhem (rather than the Mayhill Massacre) which is two laps. Two Buzzards ran the Canicross with their four-legged friends.

Julie Caseley said: “The course was relatively dry but very technical in the last mile or so when we were on the mountain bike trail.  Most of the route was on forest tracks and some on quiet country lanes.”

Runners began with a steep climb up the infamous May Hill with the challenging course continuing over the open plain at the top of the hill, through fantastic scenery.

After that, there were more tough climbs and long and very muddy trails.

Competitors could choose between the eight-mile May Hill Massacre or the 16-mile May Hill Mayhem options.

Both races finished with a final run back up the steep May Hill.

Results

Paul Dolphin finished first in the eight-mile race with a time of 58mins and 53 secs, while Julie Casey was 11th, completing it in 1hr, 25mins and 21secs

The highest flying Buzzard in the 16-mile race was Richard Welsh, notching up a time of 2hrs, 1min and 12secs – finishing second. Dave Lawrence was fifth after finishing after 2hrs, 11 minutes and 41secs.

In sixth place was Sam Burnage (2hr, 11mins and 45secs) and Simon Foreman was eighth (2hrs, 19mins and 59secs).

In the Canicross eight-mile event, Marc Soley and Ralph finished in 1hr, 9mins and 33secs (4th place) and in ninth was Martin Reed-Darby and Charlie (1hr, 16mins and 44secs).

There were age category wins for Chris Lewis-Farley (16 miles, 2hrs, 28mins and 54secs) and Julie Caseley (8 miles, 1hr, 25mins and 21secs).

Several Malvern Buzzards also ran personal bests.