ATHLETES from Stourbridge Running Club were beating personal bests and smashing course records at events all over the country this weekend.

At the Langsett 13, Nick Hardy came in first and knocked 23 minutes off the course record, finishing in an impressive one hour and 32 minutes.

Starting from the village of Langsett, in Yorkshire, the route is run along beautiful forest trails, before going out into the wilds for a short period of the race, which consists of stony and rocky terrain, and in parts some glorious mud – not to mention a 1,300 feet ascent.

Stourbridge club runners Grace Allen and Chloe Pearson were chosen to represent Worcestershire at the Inter-Counties Cross Country in Loughborough, Grace finishing the 8km course in 37.36 and Chloe in 38.55.

At the Silverstone Half Marathon, Pete Walters ran 13 miles around the famous race track in a PB time of 1.21.10, with Simon Walker finishing in 1.43.25, while at the Ironbridge Half Marathon, Paul Bradley finished in 1.56.32.