Winner Jackie                                                                                               Winner Felipe

There was an abundance of talented athletes on show this year as the race was the first counter in the Inov8/WFRA Open Welsh Championships and the Paul Fosh Auctions/WFRA South Wales Series. The race also played host to the East Wales Championships.

The 107 starters were forced to endure gale force wind and intermittent rain during the 5.5 mile 3100ft ascent race which summits both Cribyn and Pen Y Fan. Visibility was reasonable but the strong winds and rain created a challenging race for both organisers and runners.

Felipe Jones first attempt of the race was a victorious one. Felipe of Aberystwyth A/C won the race by a comfortable margin in a time of 55.04. Pete Ryder of Brycheiniog was 2nd in 56.12 and Simon Barnby completed the podium in a time of 57.29. The MV40 category was closely contested with Preseli’s Carwyn Phillips pipping Paul Beeson to the post by 4 secs in 64.43. Mark Palmer of Mynydd Du, 4th overall took the MV50 prize finishing in 57.56. First MV60 was Gary Gunner of Croft Ambrey in 80.24. MDC’s Robert West thoroughly deserved his MV70 prize after taking an alternative route off Pen Y Fan making his race a little longer.

Eryri Harriers runner Jackie Lee came in search of Helen Fines course record but the tough conditions saw her dip just over a minute outside of it in 62.56 finishing 7th overall. Second lady in was Mercia’s Mel Price in a time of 64.51. Andrea Roberts, also of Eryri Harriers was 3rd home in 67.34. Local lady Rhian Probert took the 1st FV40 prize in 76.29 and MDC’s Alice Bedwell was 1st FV50 in 80.21. Eryri runner Maggie Oliver, not content with the 5.5 mile course briefly joined Rob and a small number of runners on the alternative route choice before exploring more of the area alone. Maggie sneaked up on race timekeeper John Chidlow from the opposite direction to claim her FV60 prize.

The winning team was Mercia Fell Runners, Tom Roo, Mel Price and Virgil Barton. Apologies from the race organiser for the absence of the team prize presentation due to a mix up with the results. Runners were treated to a limited offering of hot beverages but ample amounts of cake at the post race gathering. Thanks to Mynydd Du Fell Runners for their support and to everyone that helped out on the day.

There was a large turnout as the race was a counter in the Cotswold Outdoor North Wales Series. Weather conditions were dry and sunny with a cool breeze on the summits.