Wednesday evening saw the return of one of the favourite summer series, ‘Race up The Beast’ at Maeshafan.

With new host club Clwydian Range Runners marking out the route and organising the event for 2016, all the runners on the start line gave a round of applause to John Morris of Buckley Runners, who had organised the race for the last 7 years - Thank you John.

As the temperature dipped below 20°c for the first time all day, a gentle breeze picked up just enough to cool the runners down as they lined up for the start. Just over 90 runners turned up to tackle The Beast, taking on a slightly modified route from previous years, that saw the 7.5Km race route finish right outside the pub door.

In the men’s race, first over the line with a sprint finish and new course record was Karl Steiniegger, Ambleside AC, in a mind blowing time of 36.44. Second place went to Michael Corrales, NWRCC, in a photo finish time of 36.44.5. Third spot on the night went to Buckley Runner Jez Brown in a time of 37.11. Jez also won the male v40 race.

The ladies race winner was Hayley Evans, representing Buckley Runners, in an impressive time of 46.3 and new female race record . Second lady was Laura Baynham-Hughes from Helsby Runners, in 49.20 and third lady Karen Forster finished in 51.35, also taking the F50 win for Calder Valley.

In the age categories, lady v40 went to Ciara Murphy from Chester Tri in 54.07 and Male v50 was won by Dave Shepard, competing for VRAC in a time of 44.11. The male V60 title went to Vince Edwards of Deestriders, in 48.62 and the male V70 went to none other than Buckley’s very own John Morris.

John also took the ‘most team members’ prize, a sack of potatoes, on behalf of Buckley runners who promptly shared the 12.5kg of Maris Pipers between the 20 runners that had turned up to run.

Clwydian Range Runners had 9 runners out on the hills. For the ladies Laura Cosgrove came over the line in an impressive time of 53.08 and Mandy Peffers finished 3rd L40 in 55.24. Melanie Berry crossed the line in 59.24 and Nikita Berry 1.03.9.

Owen Arman 46.32, Greame Peacock 48.57, Jason Davies 50.18 and Stephen Jones 51.55 were out representing the clubs men.

Paul Stinton, CRR, finished in 1.07.24 having took a wrong turn, then double backed to finish the course properly – even having ran to the start line from home !

A massive thanks goes to all the helpers, to the Miners Arms pub, the marshals and time keepers.

A very special thanks goes to the Trinity Fammau Scout Group from Gwenaffield for volunteering to marshal our race.

Thanks to all of you that came along and for all the positive feedback that we received.

Happy running and see you all next year.     CRR.