A fine sunny start to the day with increasing cloud cover that did not actually break, and a cold and fitful wind at HQ had many pondering over what to wear.

Race Organiser Helen Fines was away at a British Championship race, but left behind a stout team who got the 44 runners off successfully. Martin Cox led Mark Palmer all the way with Alec Woods about four minutes back as the race moved into the second phase across the valley to the foot of the steep haul to Cribyn summit.