JOHN Hamilton was the first Forester back in the Kymin Winter Race, narrowly coming second by just six seconds.

Hamilton was one of 11 FODAC members taking part in the event last week and finished in a time of 31.28, behind Chepstow Harriers’ Paul Murirn in 31.22.

Organised by Cardiff-based Les Croupiers, the race saw runners climb almost to the top of the Kymin from Monmouth, a 650ft ascent, before descending back down towards Redbrook.

They then climbed again a further 525ft to the Naval Temple at the summit.

The race is then completed by descending as fast as possible across fields, woodland tracks and along muddy footpaths usually at high speed, to arrive back at the start in Monmouth.

Second and third FODAC men were Julian Boon in 35:37 and Richard Powles in 37:57, while the first three FODAC women were Gemma Hewitt in 49:06 followed by Stefanie Frances and Jo Edwards who both finished in 49:47.

Other FODAC finishers were Andrew Thorpe in 39:55, Patrick Rennison in 41:36, Jim Storrar in 42:24, Michael Marks in 42:30, Chris Hawkins in 51:13, Peter Covington Jones in 53:22, Vanessa Pegler in 58:40 and Karen Barnett in 58:42.