HUNDREDS of runners faced rain and wind over the weekend to raise funds for charities as part of a gruelling obstacle course event.

The Chepstow Stampede, now in its fourth year, saw around 600 attendees of all ages take part in outdoor routes at Chepstow Racecourse.

Brave challengers faced obstacles ranging from hay bale stacks, nets and ditches to mud pits and paths snaking through woodland.

The event aims to introduce novice runners to the physical demands of cross country running, while also challenging the hardiest elite runners.

This year the event included a 10k run, 5k run – with a 14 to 15-year-old category – a ‘mini-stampede’ and a prize giving ceremony. All money raised will go towards official sponsors ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Breast Cancer Care Cymru and the totals are currently being counted.

While runners taking part came from Gwent and afar, many Chepstow-based organisations also attended in teams, picking up distinctive medals as they crossed the finish line.

This included a team from the Chepstow and District Round Table who were raising funds and awareness for their free community firework show at Chepstow School on November 5.

Vice chairman of the group, Simon Hicks, said: “It has been wet, windy and good fun and lots of people were shouting encouragement on the way”.

Another local group included Chepstow Town FC’s Under 11s who were attending the stampede for their third year.

Coach Paul Beynon described the event as a “great team building exercise” which reflects the “ethos of the club”- that is, everybody can take part “no matter what their age or ability”.

Chepstow Racecourse manager, Phil Bell, who was handing out medals to runners on the day, added it was a “great community event”. “The race course is not only about the horse racing. We have lots of other events like fireworks and concerts,” he said.

“It is a venue for the community all year round”.