KEEN fitness fanatics braved a whole range of challenges, including crawling through mud and running through smoke-filled pathways, to raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion.

Just under 200 people took part in the Great Gwent Poppy Run 10-kilometre course yesterday, with parts of it resembling the battlefields of France and Belgium.

Joint organiser Graham Bettey said: “It is all off-road with various obstacles near the Cwm Head Lakes in Bassaleg.

“There will be some pathways which will be full of smoke and other parts where the people will have to go through mud.

“This is the fourth run we have had the event and it is an important year because soon it will be 100 years since the First World War ended.

“It is a fun course - but can get very, very dirty and wet.”

And Mike Jones, of the Royal British Legion, addressed the crowd of people on top of a Jackal vehicle, saying: “We are pleased to have made this event possible.

“Every single penny raised will go towards the Poppy Appeal. This year we are thinking of the signing of the armistice.”

Just after noon, the runners were on their way and were immediately faced with obstacles.

After running through a smoke, the runners headed towards a hill.

Once they had passed through various fields, they found themselves in a wooded area and had to crawl through thick mud.

Runner David Williams said he found it “a lot of fun”.

“This is the first time I have taken part in the Poppy race,” he said.

“My friends told me that I ought to take part because they had found it really funny.

“I could not believe that I had to make my way through mud.”

He added: “I am covered in mud.”

Bassaleg resident Lisa Wood said: “My partner and I had ancestors who were killed in the First World War. We want to remember them by raising money for this charity."

The war wreaked havoc across continents and came to an end 100 years ago on November 11.