Llanbedr played host last Saturday lunchtime to the 3rd fixture out of 6 which constitute the 2009 Welsh Fell Running Open Championships. The race chosen was the Rhinog Horseshoe Fell Race, a gruelling 15.5 mile event which took in the peaks of Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, Y Llethr & Moelfre, providing an overall total of 5,200 feet of climbing.

As such, the race attracted the elite long distance fell runners from within the Principality and beyond and this, in turn, was reflected within the race results.

John Marsh                         Photo by Peter Douglas

Having finished 3rd at the event in 2008, Martin Shaw from the Mynydd Du Club based in the Black Mountains around Swansea, returned north again this year and achieved his aim of race victory as he completed the challenge in a time of 2hrs 41mins and 37secs, more than 5 minutes ahead of his nearest challenger, Matthew Roberts (Eryri Harriers), home in a time of 2.47.05

The podium was completed by North Derbyshire based athlete, Alan Ward (Dark Peak Fell Runners), who completed the event in a time of 2.52.05. Other category winners - Over 50 Ross Powell (WFRA) 3.20.19, Over 60 John Marsh (Tarren Hendre) 3.49.58