The race was held one calendar month earlier in the year than the inaugural race in 2016 due to the encroaching vegetation onto the trails.

61 competitors started the 6.2km long race (with over 300m ascent) at the foot of the Rockwood Riding Centre access road on the warm but cool Tuesday evening awaiting the Race Director's briefing. The route climbed to the top of Craig yr Allt on its eastern flanks before descending down an indistinct trod to the north. The participants then contoured the northern hillside before ascending a re-entrant, running along the ridge and down to the Taff Trail through trails, paths, fields and woodland. Following a short section on the Taff Trail, the participants crossed a stream, ascended a very steep field used by 4x4s and then descended into the Nant y Brynau valley. The next kilometre ascended the valley floor through woodland before climbing the steep northern valley side and finish in the Mountain View Ranch.

Ben Mitchell (MDC) outclassed the rest of the field and smashed the course record set by Peter Ryder by 2m 41s. He also finished the race 3m 42s ahead of second place Matt Stott (MDC) in a time of 27m 09s. Thomas Burden finished third 24 seconds behind Matt.

Helen Brown (Mynydd Du) set a new female record of 35m 50s (faster by over 2 minutes) by beating the previous record holder Clare Dallimore (MDC) who herself ran over a minute faster than the course record she set in 2016. Anna Lewis finished a brilliant third – she was surprised and delighted to receive a prize at the prize giving ceremony!

Age category winners:
MU23 – William White (MDC) 34:46
M40 – Chris Medcalf (San Domenico) 35:14
M50 – David Place 37:04

FU23 – Hannah Knight 45:38
F40 – Helen Brown (Mynydd Du) 35:50
F50 - Alice Bedwell (MDC) 39:45 (over 2 mins faster than last year!)

MDC won both the Male and Female Team Prizes.

The Race Director would also like to the landowners for enabling the use of their land - both public footpaths and private sections. A big thanks to the marshalls, helpers, sweeper and photographers too: Dawn Davies, Gill Stott, Martin & Kay Lucas, Jane & John Aggleton, Keri & Pauline James, Phill Thomas, Richard Cronin, Martyn Driscoll and Marcus Pinker.

The Race Director would like to remind all that the race is suitable for the younger generation over the age of 14. Why not drag some along to the 2018 Summer Event?       Regards        Gary