The wettest Llanthony Show Hill Race in living memory - and the event goes back at least four years - was nevertheless enjoyed by a record 32 mud-spattered entrants. In the local primary school geog text book the Honddu Valley is now designated sub-tropical rain forest, and the organiser and his glamorous assistant had to sharpen their machetes more keenly than ever before to hack through the head-high bracken.

Hence the delayed start, but it gave enough time for the monsoon to pass over, and Rob Gordon led the pack in sticky but rain-free heat through the horse boxes, beer tent and fast food stalls and out of the quaggy show field. And it was Rob who led them back 30 minutes later, but with his lead extended to two minutes over Stuart Moore.

On the come-back trail, Di Vorres led the over 40s in third place, with first over 50 Pete Williams in 5th and first 60+ Garry Gunner in 12th, just nine seconds behind first woman, Angela Jones. Also on the come-back was second woman Sharon Woods, while third-placer Julie Davies also picked up a prize the next day in the Brecon 10 road race.

Sweet sixteen and never been kitted out in anything but a Hereford Couriers vest, Naomi Prosser ducked under the 45 minute barrier for first junior. You read it here first folks - a fell star in the making!

In the Junior race, winner 13 year-old Charlie Sapwell is also tipped for great things.

Grateful thanks to chief bracken-slayer Lou Summers (and sons Joe & Jake), and knee-deep marshals Louise Blackmore and Jane Rymer (just dig out the receipt and I'll reimburse you for those jeans Jane. £4.99 from Primark I would guess from the look of them).