The annual running of one of the most exhilirating of British fell races took place earlier this Tuesday evening - the Tryfan downhill dash, 1 kilometre with 680 metres of descent...... it's seen as the annual celebration of Mike Blake's astonishing 1990 record of 8 minutes - a time no one has got near to during the last years, also the ladies record of 13.41 set by Ali Thomas in the reincarnation year of 2008. This year was going to be slightly different though - 14 runners started on a very damp but clear evening and from the off two of Wales best rough courses descenders - last years champ Sam Smith and Welsh international Ifan Richards of Meirionnydd steam rollered downhill. At the base of the rocky scramble Richards led by some 10 seconds a gap he kept to the base of the scree, along the final grassy run in it seemed as if the Doctor was to overhaul Richards but not to be as Richards won by 2 seconds in an incredible ...................................................................................... ...................................................................................
8 minutes and 30 seconds, proof that in better conditions Blake's 1990 record will be beaten.
What was beaten though was Ali Thomas 2008 ladies record, Llanberis' Kat Spinney decimated the old record by 2 minutes 21 seconds to win the ladies in a superb 11 minutes 20 seconds.
All proceeds went to Ogwen MRT.