Black Mountains     Saturday 28th September    Results

A warm early Autumn day with the occasional short flurry of wind and rain caused many of the 53 starters to pull out their cagoule more than once, only to replace it in their bag when the sun returned.

At the front Hugh Aggleton had Ben Gibbison, Paul Murrin, Chris Jones, Mark Palmer and Matt Stott for company in the initial stages, but steadily eased free, until a bad line down from the Bal Mawr checkpoint gave Mark Palmer the opportunity to come back alongside as they entered the plantation. They shared the lead down to Cadwgan Bridge, but on the steady pull up the forest drive to the base of Crug Mawr Hugh started to draw clear and build up the eventual three and a half minute winning margin.

Recently-turned 40 Paul Murrin took the third podium place over seven minutes later, and that finishing order of MDC, Mynydd Du and Chepstow Harriers was echoed in the team prize category, with Matt Stott and Chris Jones sharing MDC’s team prizes with Hugh.

Chepstow however dominated the women’s race with the first two places taken by Judith Austerberry and Vanessa Lawson.and third going to MDC’s Meinir Jones.

At opposite ends of the age spectrum, James Blore and Gary Gunner were presented with the Under 23 and Over 60 awards by race organiser John Darby.
Dick Finch