Records fell at Saturday's 11th running of the Pipe Dream race from Dolgarrog, Conwy Valley.

This was the second fixture of the WFRA North Wales Champs, and the first of the Open Welsh Champs, and it would seem this drew two of the region's fastest, namely Math Roberts and Aberystwyth's Felipe Jones to do battle. In addition, the in-form Katie Beecher of Mynydd Du made an appearance to show the North Wales ladies how to do it.

Katie ran away with it, winning in 38.08, in 12th overall and a mere ten seconds over the record.

The young but ever improving Eryri Bronwen Jenkinson followed up, but not challenging at nearly 6 minutes behind. The also improving Louise Emery-Jones took third, 8 seconds off the fv40 record, but sadly a couple of months short of turning 40! Maybe next year.

Back to the men, and Math led strongly from the off, gaining a 29 second lead over Felipe by the summit. Hardly a slouch on a downhill one would think he'd have it in the bag, but an amazing descent down through the woods from Felipe brought him back level with Math by the time they reached the road. A sprint for line concluded with a single second separating them, Math taking a satisfying win in 33.16, smashing the 2011 record by nearly two minutes.
Dylan Lewis of Sarn Helen took third in 36.13.

In the v40's John Parkinson took the win and 4th overall in 36.26, which takes a minute off the mv40 record; and Jenny Heming comfortably led the ladies in 46.34.

Steve Toogood of Buckley narrowly beat Eryri's Michael Belshaw by 13 seconds for the mv50 slot and Celia Mills of Mercia never threatened by clubmate Sue Howarth as first fv50.

Clwydian's Chris Wilcox ran a great v60 race in 43.41 finishing 33rd overall.

Don Williams finished off the record breaking by taking over 5 minutes off his v70 record and comfortably winning the category.

Of note however is the fact that the two v70s behind him, namely John Morris and Geoff Fielding were also well inside the record. 89 started, 89 finished - that's how we like it.        Craig