To celebrate the third anniversary of this already legendary race, the weather finally decided to be at its worst – well in the case of visibility this certainly was the case. The race which starts at the Cwm Pennant hostel and conquers the summits of the Moel Hebog range as well as the Nantlle ridge welcomed an enthusiastic and competent 36 starters. Weather conditions were actually near perfect for running – zero wind and light drizzle, the only problem was the near zero visibility.

On inspection of entries, it looked as the mens race would be between two time champ, Simon Harding and the Calder Valley legend, Carlos ‘The Jackal’ Gray, whilst the female battle would include Sarah Ridgway and Lou Beetlestone. As the runners set off the early thorough marking of the course would hopefully ensure all runners got onto the slopes of Moel Hebog and CP1 in one piece. This was not the case, as 4 runners managed to miss CP1 but still seemed to enjoy a nice 2hr run prior to returning safely to HQ. As the race progressed, as forecasted it was Harding and Gray who were way ahead, with Sarah also having a healthy lead over Lou. Visibility remained abysmal with a number of runners reporting wayward lines whilst descending Moel Lefn. As the leaders approached the final summit of Garnedd Goch there was some confusion as the marshall was also trying to help someone who’d lost their dog! With the final ankle breaking descent of Cwm Ciprwth completed it was left to the 2.5 mile run in along the legendary road and track and this is seemingly were Gray managed to drop Harding. Karl eventually taking the win in 2.40.15 – a mere 14 secs off the record, but a new vet 40 record, with Simon 2nd in 2.41.35. NWRR’s Mark Davies retained his bronze in a time of 2.56.29. Eryri’s Steve P Jones – current vet 60 leader in the British champs – ran excellently to finish 8th overall in 3.00.48, and a new vet 60 record. Noel Craine of Eryri took the vet 50’s in 3.20.04 – over 20mins outside of his record from 2014. In the ladies, Sarah took the win in 3.20.08, with Lou in 2nd in 3.42.25 and 3rd for Megan Hughes in 3.52.34. Stell Farrar and Jackie Kearsley ran home together to jointly take the vet 50 crown in 5.22.50. There were 27 finishers.

The main success of this race is the rock solid helpers, so thanks to Iorwerth Roberts, Pete Rowley, Jane O’Donnell, Gareth Wyn Hughes, Sioned Ellen Rowlands and Tina McDonnell, Sam Green, Dils Rowlands, all the Roberts' family and helpers, Helen Blair, Owen Roberts, Dafydd Whiteside Thomas and wifie, Jo Moore, Jonathan Moore, Trefor Jones, Adam Haynes as well as all the staff and Ken at at the hostel, all the landowners in particular Emyr et al at the car park location!.....also of course to Stu McDonald who took over from me part way through and Alex Fletcher.

In its fourth year in 2016 the race will be a champs race so an excellent opportunity for you all to race in North Wales’s greatest valley along its greatest race route.