GWENT runner Natasha Cockram may be easing her way back into competitive athletics after a string of injuries, but she isn’t taking it easy on her comeback trial.

Having won the Pentyrch Hill Race last month the Micky Morris Running Team athlete stepped up in distance to claim a senior Welsh title as she romped home to victory in the Royal Welsh Trail Running Festival championship event.

“I spent four years at Tulsa University, but had a terrible year with injuries on my return. Now I am back running consistently once again and started to enjoy racing,” said 24-year-old Cockram.

“I’d love to be in good enough shape to compete at the 100th Welsh Championships in Cardiff next month and this win will give me a lot of confidence. It was a good course, the weather was great and I really enjoyed the experience.”

There were more than 300 finishers in the inaugural Welsh Trail Half-Marathon Championships and a further 450 in the 10K race.

There were also strong entries in the family trail events earlier in the day with more than 1,000 people taking part throughout the day.

Cockram was followed home in both the Welsh Championships and Open Race by Lauren Cooper, of Parc Bryn Bach Running Club, with San Domenico’s Emily Lagomarsino finishing third in the Open Race. The bronze medal in the Welsh Championships went to Pontypool & District Runners’ Faye Johnson.

The men’s title went to Aberdare Valley AAC runner Dan Bodman with clubmate Matt Evans second. Sion Price, of Sarn Helen, finished third.

The 10K trail race saw another medal for Pontypool & District Runners, with Samantha Toop following home Carmarthen Harriers' Liz Tremelett. And Dave Richardson also finished among the medals in the men's race.