AMY Wallace was the first of nine runners from the newly-formed Forest of Dean Runners to finish the recent Wye Valley Tunnel Run.

Her time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 51 seconds was 1 minute 25 seconds quicker than by Beth Haile with 1 hour, 3 minutes and 16 seconds. Rachel Vanhegan was the third runner from the club home in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 6 seconds.

Organisers Relish Running had brought the start forward by an hour to avoid the heat but temperatures were still up around the 30-degree mark when the runners set off just after 10 a.m.

The route started from Wyedean School and took in some of the narrow back lanes of Sedbury before making its way up onto the old railway line of the Wye Valley Greenway crossing over the A48.

After about three kilometres there was some welcome relief as the route entered into the Tidenham Tunnel and the temperature dropped, according to event organisers, to a cooling 11-degrees.

The tunnel goes on for around three quarters of mile before runners entered back into the heat and bright sunshine.

Retracing the route past the former diving centre and after a 200-metre uphill section it was back onto the playing fields to the finish line.

Next stop for the club will be the Swansea Bay 10-kilometre road race in September.

The club meets on a Monday and Wednesday at Five Acres High School at 6:pm.

For more information email [email protected]