Picture of Bronwen Jenkinson of Eryri who was 1st under 23 and 3rd overall.

'Similar to the communist model, a long term plan is always a positive form of advancement. Therefore, 4 years ago when I created the Pedol Cwm Pennant, I immediately had it planned that I'd get the race to be a counter in the British champs, this initially was a 5 year plan but following a chat with Scoffer somewhere 2 years ago it ended up being a 4 year plan!

Anyway with 333 pre-entries there was always going to be slight planning required and a lot of help from a lot of people on the day! The weather on the day was nearly perfect (if you knew the course) and we had 237 starters, so a colossal 96 who pre entered didn't turn up. Online entries are great but it makes it far too easy for some people to just click and enter. Anyway, as it turns out 237 was more than enough!

Both winners set off from the start with one plan and Keswick's Carl Bell and Ambleside's Lou Roberts smashed the rest of the field. Carl smashing the old record by 23 minutes in 2.16.4 with Lou smashing the ladies by 20 minutes in 2.43.49. Incredibly the first 29 finishers were all within Simon Harding's old record! The race for the other podium positions was a bit closer with Sam Tosh, Rhys FR, Andrew Fallas and Math Roberts keeping a close eye on each for most of the race. The Cwm Ciprwth sorted Andrew with Rhys taking a good lead on Sam and Math. Rhys eventually took 2nd in 2.22 with Math nipping Sam in a sprint in 2.23.20. Dark Peak's Tom Saville won the under 23's finishing in 14th overall whilst Shettlestone's Kenny Richmond won the male 40's with Bingley legend Ian Holmes taking the 50's. Settle's Mike Egner had a worthwhile trip to win a competitive vet 60's with Eryri's Alwyn Oliver being the first ever vet 70 to complete the course and also win the category. In the ladies next home after Lou was Helm Hill's Sharon Taylor in 2.59, there was a cracking 3rd overall for 19 year old Bronwen Jenkinson of Eryri who finished in 3.01.59 and also 1st under 23. In the ladies vet 50's the win went to Pennine's Jane Mellor with legend Wendy Dodds taking the vet 60's. All age category records were smashed to smithereens. Dark Peak took the male team and Mercia the ladies team prize.

Following the race much fun was had with thanks to the Cwm Pennant hostel and Fred Smith and Alwen Haf of the Hafod Brewery and the fact Wales won the football. Huge thanks to all helpers - all those people have already been thanked and contacted already!

Big thanks to all the staff at the hostel including the host Michelle. Also a big thanks to all local landowners including Ieuan and Emyr at Brynkir farm!
Race accounts will be published in the next few days so you can all learn how much it really costs to organise a decent race! Just over £400 was raised via the car parking and the tea and cakes. This will all be pumped into buying 5 goats for the Ugandan goat project with over £200 going to Garndolbenmaen Ysgol Feithrin and the Brynkir farm hounds.

Roll on 2017!'