The annual downhill dash from the summit of Moel Famau to the back garden of the Goldie saw strong support from far and wide. Meiryonnydd Running Club claimed three of the top nine placings and their front runner Ifan Richards was chased hard by Mercia's Roland Stafford but nicked it in the end by two seconds. Local club Denbigh Harriers turned out in force with 17 finishers, other clubs represented from North Wales included Maldwyn, Eryri, Menai, Prestatyn, Deestriders, Buckley, Wrexham, Clwydian, Abergele, Aberystwyth University and Caerwyn (?) Clubs from Lancashire, Cheshire and up the Wirral also appeared and Katie Ashcroft, from Warrington AC claimed the first ladies prize. On a blustery day the conditions were especially slippery but there were smiling faces all round at the finish. Among the contingent from Lancashire was Darren Fishwick completing his 100th race of the year!

Taking entries on top of a mountain in a gale is somewhat fraught and I would encourage everyone to either enter in the pub on the day or send me a pre-entry next year. We also had several runners who underestimated the time it would take to get to the start. You can see some of them still making their way to the start in this excellent video courtesy of Simon Hide!
You Tube Video
Martin Cortvriend

20 year-old Bristol Uni undergrad Duncan Birtwhistle stopped off at the ancient Skirrid Inn on the Monmouthshire-Herefordshire border on the way back home to Yorkshire for the Christmas vacation.
The first running of this race to the summit of the Holy Mountain and back attracted 85 other runners, only one of whom, Andy Brown (of Lancashire’s Clayton-le-Moors of all places), got to the summit before Duncan. But the Harrogate Harrier’s dynamic descending got him to the finish line 100 seconds clear.
Only 27 seconds separated the first three women in what race organiser Andy Creber described as a thrilling sprint finish. Chepstow’s form lady Niki Morgan beat Jean, another member of Clayton-le-Moor’s Brown family, to first place, with MDC’s Katey Roby just behind.
Jean Brown, Alice Bedwell, Gavin Fisher, Kevin Hagley and Neil Grant took overall age category prizes, while the novel ‘fastest from summit to finish’ trophies went to Duncan Birtwhistle, Richard Johnson, Kevin Hagley, Neil Grant, Katey Roby, Jean Brown and Alice Bedwell.

Young Simon Barnby, with a fell running background of running in the Howgills and representing England in the 2007 World Mountain Running Trophy, saw the Blorenge race listed on the WFRA website and travelled down to Llanfoist from his current base in Herefordshire. “Since 2007 I have kept the running up but racing has taken a bit of a back foot although I try to run the Yorkshire three peaks each year which is a particular favourite.”
Simon snatched first place from last year’s runner-up Paul Murrin with Pete Ryder in third place.
Ellie Salisbury travelled down to take the first woman’s prize followed by Sharon Woods and AnneMarie Harris on the comeback trail following the birth of her first, Eden.
Other category winners were Gill Stott, Rich Johnson, Max Suff, Neil Lewis, Clive Rowberry, Steve Littlewood, Les Williams and Rob West.
A bright clear day gave marvellous views much appreciated by the 54 runners, as were Race Organisers’ Jess and Chris Taylor’s delightful post-race refreshments and the seasonal chocolate treats for all entrants.
Dick Finch 191212

I got into fell running during my time at school in Sedbergh. The Howgill fells provided ideal running country where I took part in some of the local races. After leaving school I got selected to run for England in 2007 at the world mountain running trophy in switzerland. I heard about the Blorenge race through the wfra website.

Some of the Prizewinners from the 2012 inov-8/WFRA Welsh Champs and North Wales Series (sponsored by planetFear).

There was a large turnout as the race was the final counter in both the inov-8/WFRA Open Welsh Championships and the North Wales Series (sponsored by planetFear). Weather conditions were dry, sunny intervals and the summit was clear. It was very wet and slippery underfoot after rain the previous day.

The inov-8/WFRA Welsh Champions for 2012 are Tim Davies of Mercia and Andrea Rowlands of Eryri. Other category winners -
Male : U/23 Karl Steinegger (Ambleside), Over 40 Paul Beeson (Maldwyn), Over 50 Paul Jeggo (Springfield), Over 60 Martin Cortvriend (Denbigh).
Female : Over 40 Ali Thomas (Eryri), Over 50 Ellie Salisbury (Eryri), Over 60 Maggie Oliver (Eryri).

The winners of the North Wales Series (sponsored by planetFear) are Ifan Richards of Meirionnydd and Lauren Jeska of Aberystwyth. Other category winners -
Male : U/23 Karl Steinegger (Ambleside), Over 40 Paul Jones (Mercia), Over 50 Michael Belshaw (Eryri), Over 60 Martin Cortvriend (Denbigh).
Female : Over 40 Ali Thomas (Eryri), Over 50 Ellie Salisbury (Eryri), Over 60 Maggie Oliver (Eryri).
Full details of all the prizewinners are on the results page.

2 races down, 6 to go - best 5 to count
Interim list - 3 races in 2013 still to be decided

The male and female winners for 2012 were Jason Philips, the overall winner with a time of 50.53 minutes and Andrea Rowlands who successfully defended the female record. The course record is still held by Jon Bowie with a time of 46.44 minutes in the 2011 event.

The weather was extraordinarily beautiful just before and just after the race but for the duration the gallant runners were plagued by torrential rain and hail!! Well done! Despite this challenge many runners still managed to achieve PB’s for this course.

Gavin Punchard, head coach of Oakhampton running club in Devon said, “this race had all the qualities of a classic fell race including 1400 feet of ascent with sleet, heavy rain and sunshine making the conditions challenging. An exhilarating descent into the Ceiriog valley ended the race where a very welcome bacon butty and coffee awaited!”

We were particularly pleased with the German representation at the event which approximately accounted for 8% of the runners “dankeschön”!

We would like to thank the marshals for enduring the poor conditions, without too much moaning(!), and for looking after everyone so well. A special thanks goes to the Spa in Glyn Ceiriog and Chirk for their very generous donations towards the prizes. We look forward to seeing you again next year, date soon to follow…..

Summer traditionally ends on the South Wales fells the moment a bunch of thrill and pain seeking runners congregate at the fence line that marks the start line for Fan Fawr, a now habitual Winter League opener and quite probably the cheapest afternoon of fun in Wales. And even after the soggiest of many recent soggy summers we were blessed by sunny clear conditions, a day to embrace the pain, enjoy the ankle sapping mid-way bog and forget your fear on a slip-slidey sort of descent after the monsoons of September…and August, June and July.

A bijou complement of 36 souls gasped and grunted up the first ramp to the bog-lands, alternative attractions such as a local LDWA event perhaps impacting on the size of the field. Nonetheless many of the noted stalwarts of many Winter League campaigns were in harness, keen to garner some early points for the series.

Peter Ryder launched into a typically youthful ascent while all but one of the rather aged remainder of the field husbanded their resources for later, well that is looking at it fairly kindly as I am sure their maximum heart rates were incapable of matching Brycheiniog’s finest. Only neo-vet-40 Richard Johnson of Mynydd Du was able to match the early strides and proved Pete’s only real competition.

With Kay Lucas once again providing a beacon of hope and an end to the heavy breathing at the summit, the field turned for home with Peter extending his lead to just under half a minute on the gripless descent. A winning time in the 18 minutes is about par these days, the halcyon mark of 16.02 set by Graham Patten many years ago is now but a distant memory. After a near 2 minute gap Kevin Hagley, now an over-50, and a fit one, followed the two main protagonists home to seal a progressively elderly podium with the second young person (SM), Jonathan Williams making his debut in 5th. The top ten was completed by a returning Steve Littlewood, hardly believably a newly hatched V60, fresh from a summer of time-trialing around the roads of Herefordshire, which in all probability marks the end of any real competition for the V60 prize this winter!

Naomi Prosser, now running for Cardiff University was the first of just 4 lady finishers, with Catherine Etchell, a local Libanus girl sneaking in ahead of Jan Richards for the LV40 accolade.

My thanks to summit marshal Kay Lucas and Chas Ryder at the finish. The Winter League caravan now moves to the slopes of Sugar Loaf for a late October thrash and the first decent pub of the series.

Chris Gildersleve

64 runners set off from Llanbedr on a balmy Autumn day and enjoyed marvellous conditions for this final race of the South Wales Fell Series. Chepstow’s Paul Murrin drew away steadily over the four major climbs and had a 14 minute lead at the finish by St Peter’s church. Dark Peak’s Ben Gibbison just ducked under the three hour mark, followed by MDC’s Ben Moon.

In fifth place overall Eryri’s Andrea Rowlands was 17 minutes ahead of 2nd woman Emma Bayliss.
Sandra Rowlands and Sharon Woods took the age group categories.

New to the veteran ranks Richard Johnson was 6th overall, while the first 50+ was Dave Powell down from Aberystwith. As predicted the leading 60 year-old in the Championships, Steve Herington and Gary Gunner, fought out a very close race, with Gary pipping Steve by 46 seconds, but failing to overhaul Steve’s lead in the Series. Winner Paul Murrin also lead the Team prize winners Chepstow Harriers with Matthew Lawson and James Blore.
DF 06/12/12

This welcome revival of Wheeze & Toffer’s classic on the Mynydd Maen ridge above Pontypool was blessed with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze.
Mynydd Du’s Sean Taylor led all the way with only Lliswerry’s M40 Chris Harrhy able to keep in contact. Returning from injury, Ade Woods, Mynydd Du, was delighted to take the M50 prize.
Apparently only the first six failed to miss the subtly-placed arrow leading to the first checkpoint, but the remaining 24 eventually twigged that they’d missed the left turn. Among them were women’s prizewinners Sue Tagg, Parc Bryn Bach and Maria Richards from Islwyn, and M60 leader Rob Brown of Chepstow.
Encouraged by its success, Race Organiser Dimitri Vorres plans to put it on in May next year.
Dick Finch 23.09.12

Déjà vu at the front of this year’s Llyn y Fan as the 2011 winners, brothers Felipe and Andres Jones from Aberystwyth, again took the first two places. The weather was mild and dry underfoot with some mist on the tops, and there was no obvious explanation for the low turnout of 21, with just three women.

Sarn Helen’s Daniel Hooper took third followed by first M40 Richard Johnson of Mynydd Du.
Sasha Habgood just headed Sharon Woods in the women’s race, but with no sign of the remaining lady after all the others had finished, Race Organiser John Sweeting sent out a search party who finally rounded up the lost sheep making her way to the finish from an unexpected direction. Grateful thanks to all who kindly went back out on the mountain.
Dick Finch 17.09.12.

There was a good turnout as the race was a counter in the British Championships, inov-8/WFRA Open Welsh Championships and WFRA North Wales Series (sponsored by planetFear). The weather was hot and sunny.

Ladies race winner Lauren Jeska followed by Mel Price.

A quality field from over the border descended on the pretty village of Beddgelert for this classic short race. Weather conditions were dry and overcast. It was cold and windy on the summit which was shrouded in mist. Prizes were donated by Gelert. All runners and helpers received a free ice cream courtesy of Glaslyn Ices. Thanks to Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue and everyone who helped on the day. ..... Ross

Earlier in the day heavy mists threatened the running of this eighth counter in the WFRA South Wales series. Toward midday as visibility improved at lower levels, organiser Glyn Vaughan was minded to shorten the course to avoid the higher points, but by the start of the junior races all had cleared nicely.

The 8km/320m route was cheerfully marshalled by quad bike riders who had also helpfully marked the course with a series of stout white wooden posts. So navigation wasn’t the problem but what was difficult were the one mile out and one mile back stretches of bog that lead to and from the hills on the far horizon. “The wettest ever!” seemed to be the view of old hands of the event, and very few if any runners managed to stay on two feet in the deep sumps of the run in.

The Jones brothers of Aberystwyth, Felipe (first by one second) and Andres, finished over a minute ahead of CRB’s Peter Ryder, while in the women’s race TROT’s Shan Roberts finished 2 ½ minutes ahead of Amanda Lindsay, with Chepstow’s Niki Morgan a further minute back.

Just one race to go – the Black Mountains on 29 September – in what has been a very interesting and varied South Wales Championships.

Dick Finch         31.08.12

There was a good turn out of 44 runners despite the murky weather. The 6 and 7 year old set off first and the Gina Nuttall fought it out with Ted Bolton, Gina just pulled ahead of Ted to take first place, with Ted as first boy. The rest of the competitors started off together. Tomas Williams won the 8-9 category with Ellen Mary Kearney coming first girl. Sion James stormed home in the 10-11 year olds nearly catching up with the 8-9 year olds. Sarah Hill was first girl in this category. Ieuan Kearney and Aileen Kearney continued the family’s winning streak coming first boy in the 12-13 year olds and first girl in the 14-15 year olds respectively. Martha Owen and Liam Burthem both ran well, coming first 12-13 year old girl and first boy in the 14 -15 year old categories respectively and catching many of the younger runners.
The routes was very muddy and despite warnings to tie shoe laces tightly, a shoe had to be rescued from the mud!
Many thanks to all the marshalls.

Following a fine afternoon the sky turned ominously dark and rain pelted down just in time for the start of the Garn race. Undaunted , twelve runners set off for the hill and Irfon Rowlands and Rhys Owen contested for the lead with Irfon passing Rhys on the descent and maintaining his lead to the finish.
Only one female competed this year, but we were delighted to welcome 17yr old Lydia Sharpe, recently selected for the English Junior International fell running team following a fine run at the selection race in Glenridding, Cumbria , earlier this month ( where the rain was even heavier apparently ! ) .
My thanks to all the marshalls , the family at 'Garn' farm , Lllanfairynghornwy Sports committee and to Tony Hulme and ' Running Bear ' for their continued support of the Anglesey hill races.

1. Irfon Rowlands Cybi 15.34 MV/40
2. Rhys Owen U/A 15.42 MU/40
3. Lydia Sharpe Eryri 17.11 FU/40
4. Philip Pilbeam U/A 18.58 MU/40
5. Stephen Jones Cybi 19.14 MU/40
6. Lee Hodson U/A 20.49 MV/40
7. Gareth Parry U/A 24.10 MU/40

Wayne Norman (Cybi) retired due to injury
Juniors 1.5m/400'

1. Endaf Jones 15.25
2. James Lowe 16.35
3. Ceiron Owen 18.14
4. Deiniol Hughes 23.32

Steve Pilbeam. Organiser

The race is well established in the Welsh Fell Running calendar and entails running to seven mandatory checkpoints (including Tor y foel, Corn Ddu, Pen y Fan and Cribyn) from the dam at Talybont Reservoir. The race is approximate;y 30.6km long with 1372m ascent and qualifies as a long race. The Brecon Beacons were blessed with sunshine and a welcome cool refreshing breeze and greeted 56 runners to the fourth round in the 2012 Inov-8/WFRA Open Welsh Championships. The dry and pleasant 18-22 deg C conditions were a welcome change to the wet and windy weather encountered in the previous two years.
Hugh Aggleton (MDC) took an early lead in the race and distanced himself by a approximately a minute from a chasing pack which included Andrew Davies (Mercia), Mark Palmer (Mynydd Du) and Peter Ryder (Clwb Rhedwyr Brycheiniog). He managed to increase the gap on the majority of the pack but Andrew Davies gradually narrowed the margin to seven seconds by the fourth checkpoint at Corn Ddu which was full of walkers on the glorious day. Hugh managed to retain the lead to all the remaining manned checkpoints but Andrew overtook him on the descent from Carn Pica to the finish. Andrew finished in a time of 2hr 49m 18s. Hugh finished just over a minute and a half later with Mark Palmer filling the third male podium place with a time seven and a half minutes behind Andrew. The young Jon Barnes (MU23 Mynydd Du) impressed with a fourth place in his first outing and his first race over a half marathon distance. Definitely one to watch for the future.
Emma Bayliss (Mynydd Du) comfortably won the ladies race in a time of 3hr 36m 12s which was over 35 minutes ahead of her club mate Samantha Louise Toop. The male over 50 veterans put in a very strong performance with four athletes placed ahead of the majority of the male over 40 veterans. Those that impressed included Michael Belshaw (Eryri) and Glen Davies (Mercia). Gary Gunner (Croft Ambrey) continues to put in strong performances and finished with a win in the MO60 category.
The podium finishers and the winners in each age category were awarded with a souvenir photo mug and a selection of wines and ales which were provided by The Celt Experience, a Caerphilly based fine brewery.
The race organisers, Gary and Dawn Davies would like to thank each of the ten volunteers. Without them, the race would fail to exist.

Mixed weather conditions, but good visibility prevailed for this year’s Gladstone 9 race, which had 56 finishers, all of whom seemed to have enjoyed the route, the views & the post-race flapjacks. The rather hot & humid conditions at the start were probably responsible for no records having been broken, but there were, none the less, some impressive finishing times.

Four Eryri men finished in the top five positions, with Iwan Morton finishing in a time of 1.19.19, James McQueen (also 1st O40) was second, Paul Jones was third & Arwel Lewis (also first O50) was fifth. NWRR’s Mark Davies was fourth. Martin Cortvriend of Denbigh Harriers won the O60 category.

There were also four Eryri ladies in the top five female positions, but Shropshire Shuffler’s Val Swingler (also first O40 & 10th overall) finished first in a time of 1.29.05. Andrea Rowlands was second, Clare Dallimore third, Louise Emery-Jones fourth & Jenny Williamson fifth. Eryri’s Ellie Salisbury was first O50, closely followed by her Diabetic Assistance dog, Elsi, who won the canine category!!

Our sincere thanks go to Team Dolly, who provided invaluable radio communication between checkpoints, and all the many marshals and helpers, without whom we would not have been able to safely organise the race. We were very grateful for the generous sponsorship from Fletcher Poole Estate Agents & Benard’s Gallery, which enabled us to present framed photos of local mountain views as prizes for the winning male & female, & to Tony Hulme at Running Bear, who, as always, provided us with a good deal on kit for the rest of the prizes. We also owe a huge vote of thanks to the staff of Gladstone pub for their hospitality and cooperation.

We are pleased to be able to report that Ogwen Mountain Rescue & Diabetes UK will benefit from our profit.
Ellie Salisbury, Maggie Oliver & Alex Fletcher

PS We are very impressed to note that Michael Belshaw (who finished 6th overall) & David Owen (3rd O60) both finished in good positions in yesterday’s Brecon Beacons Race. A long category race followed by a medium category race back to back – I hope they had lots of flapjacks!!!

Inclement weather added to the excitement of this lovely evening race held on Saturday evening on 7 July. 75 competitors took part, some no doubt enticed by its inclusion in the South Wales summer fell series. Muddy conditions meant that times were slightly down on the previous year.

Just seconds separated Sean Taylor (1st) and Peter Ryder (2nd), with Stefan Simms taking 3rd and 1st MV40 – with Stefan cleaning up the prizes, claiming 3 beautiful trophies.

Emma Bayliss had a one minute 20 second lead on 2nd lady, Chepstow’s Niki Morgan (also 1st LV40), with Mynydd Du’s Samathan Toop in 3rd.
Fairwater claimed the men’s team prize, and Mynydd Du won the women’s team prize.
The prize-giving took place outside in the pouring rain, but there were many smiling faces as winners claimed their well deserved, lovely glass trophies and silver plated perpetual trophies.
The organisers did a fine job, putting on a hugely enjoyable race, and many thanks to the marshals for putting up with the soggy conditions.

The forecast heavy rain showers held off till after the race, but there were still some very wet patches on the hillside. But Mynydd Du’s Mark Palmer, twice the age of second placer Chepstow’s Matt Stott, took it all in his experienced stride to break the eight year-old record by seven seconds. Lliswerry’s Chris Harrhy continued his comeback with a pleasing third place. And first 50 year-old, Pont y Pwl’s Steve Davies, did well with fifth position.

Islwyn’s Maria Richards had a tremendous tussle with evergreen Sharon Woods for first woman’s prize, and eventually prevailed by less than half a minute.
Good to see four Under 20s, and all running well, with Gareth Lloyd and Naomi Prosser first in their category. Four girls and two boys entertained the show-goers in the Junior Race, and it was 9 year-old Ceri Summers who repeated last year’s triumph with first place, just ahead of 10 year-old Aderyn Carter, sister of first boy, 7 year-old Tal Carter.
Finally, grateful thanks to the Chepstow Harriers who contributed to the race’s success – Lou Summers, Vanessa Lawson, Jane Rymer, Brenda Avery and Rob Taylor.
Dick Finch

A big factor against the Push-up-the-Pincyn 2012 was the southerly jet stream, local farmers not being able to cut soaking silage on the usual show field meant a change of location for the start.
The new start point meant more mileage and more climb – what value for money.
Familiar faces from last year included the top 3 of Mark Williams, Jez Brown and Neil Parry.
A Benny Hill false start occurred when I replied to a question over the PA “NO”. The runners thought I said “GO”. Normality resumed and a mass start of 42 souls started the extra half mile of road section to the normal route to THE BIG BALE.
The bale was a beast this year at four foot high causing more comedy photo opportunities for Al Tye.
Hitting the track leading to the Pincyn it was a close pack of four consisting of Jez B, Mark W plus Eryri boys Martin Cliffe and Iwan Morton. Their ascent of the Pincyn was made interesting as the heavens opened onto the steep muddy slope to the top. The going through the forest sections was challenging on wet exposed tree roots but the top 4 remained close.
There were some sterling efforts from more senior runners as V50 Vic Belshaw, Denbigh, who pushed a blistering pace as did fellow Denbigh V60 Martin Cortvriend and V70 Peter Roberts of Buckley.
The ladies were again led by Andrea Rowlands with Pincyn new girl Jayne Joy from Helsby trailing a couple of minutes behind. The finish remained close with the same 4 men finishing within a minute or so of each other. Mark made up for getting …confused...and second last year with a strong finish to win. Iwan managed to take Martin in the home straight for a well deserved 3rd to Jez Brown in second.
Willem V. Prooijen made an other appearance from Holland to give the occasion an international feel.
Many thanks to Jackson Fire & Security, Mold, for sponsoring this year’s race and, as ever the marshals and landowners.

Liverpool Harrier Adam Peers' occasional forays into the Clwydian Hills usually result in victories, and so it was thus again on a warm night with Adam holding off Jez Brown of Buckley by 20 seconds. Jayne Joy of Helsby was well clear of Lisa Grantham, now running for Chester Tri and, having used Saturday's Snowdon Mountain Race as a warm-up for this, Eryri's Paul Jenkinson came home in eighth position. Buckley's remarkable Peter Roberts led a trio of 70 year olds finishing 32nd out of a field of 90 runners.

There was a large turnout as the race was a counter in the inov-8/WFRA Open Welsh Championships. It was also a counter in the WFRA South Wales Series. Weather conditions for the race were dry, overcast. The rain held off until the prizegiving! Results - Results

A record 136 starters turned out on a dry summer's evening to race up Foel Fenlli and back again to the Druid pub in Llanferres. The course was certainly not dry though - even the carpet of pine needles on the path through the short stretch of dark forest had been churned up into a morass of mud (by sheltering cattle we assume!) Jez Brown, in scintillating form lately, chased down Ian Houston on the descent to gain a minute on him by the finish and Laura Bestow had a comfortable win in the lades category. A great band of helpers was assembled at fairly short notice as I took over the organisation from John Linley who's been ill of late; particular mention should go to Sue and Ian on the entries desk and at the finish who coped admirably with the increased numbers, to Jim the sweep and to the dozen or so marshals who sent everybody the right way (almost!) Next race in the series is The Green Green Grass of Home at Llangynhafal on 25th July.
Martin Cortvriend

Weather conditions - showers and sunny intervals. It was cold and windy on the tops.

Another great turnout for a North East Wales event. 96 finished on a fine evening. Laura Bestow of West Cheshire improved on her winning time of two years ago by well over a minute and Rob Grantham, third last year, picked up the pace similarly to get an outright win this year. Great support from local clubs and no shortage of willing helpers either. Next in the series is the Druid from Llanferres on 11th July.

There was a good field for the race which was a counter in the inov-8/WFRA Open Welsh Championships and North Wales Series (sponsored by planetFear).

98 runners enjoyed a timely and welcome break in the weather for the inaugural running of the 12.3 mile Ras y Berwyn, organised by Clwydian Range Runners. Setting off from the beautiful village of Llandrillo, The downpour of the previous days provided a boggy and calf sapping slog up to Cadair Berwyn, where the going improved and the runners were provided with glorious views as they traversed the rim of the cliffs surrounding Llyn Lluncaws. From there, the route headed north before ascending Cadair Bronwen and then thundering down the ridge to Llandrillo.

Tim Davies of Mercia established an early lead, challenged closely by Richard Roberts of Eryri, to finish in 1.39.25, setting the course record. Sarah Ridgway of Inov8, provided a similarly impressive performance for the ladies, finishing in 2.03.44.

Thanks go to the marshals, to Newsar and to all the helpers who ensured that a memorable day was had by all. A special thanks must go to CCW (for allowing the race to proceed in the middle of the nesting season!) and to the ladies of Llandrillo WI, who worked tirelessly to put on a great spread after the race.

If you missed the race, don’t worry. Clwydian are determined to make it an annual event.         Peter Agnew

The 25th running of the race was remarkably smooth and trouble-free, thanks largely to the efficiency of the support team – all of whom I would like to thank very much for their efforts.
We had no injuries, only one early retirement due to an asthma attack and, despite the torrential rain which soaked me through twice in the afternoon as I was marking the course, by the time the race started it was blue skies and white fluffies with a sprinkling of drizzle later on to cool everyone down a bit.
At the front of the 176-strong field there was a liberal sprinkling of previous winners but Lloyd Taggart, the men’s record-holder in the event, took things by the scruff of the neck from the start and led throughout with a fine run to finish with a convincing three-minute-plus margin over Simon Harding in second place, with last year’s winner, James Scott-Buccleugh (who is definitely NOT a Vet50 as I mistakenly categorised him at the Prizegiving !!) in third place. Judging by the speed Lloyd came down the track to the finish his own record would have gone but for a variant route up to the cage at the start which probably cost him the sixteen seconds he needed – next year perhaps ?
Jan Nicholls also had an excellent run to finish as 1st Lady, with Diane McVey and Molly Whittall taking the second and third places – and I simply do not believe that her club, “White Nancy Boys”, actually exists !!
The Prizegiving was its usual cheerful, crowded self and, in addition to the usual presentations there were two special Single Malt ones which deserve mention.
One of them went to the evergreen Rob Taylor, who won the inaugural race in 1987 and who blasted round this year to take the V60 prize – quite impressive.
The other went to Dave Sumner, who competed in the very first race but whose running was immediately curtailed by knee problems and who, instead of competing, marshalled at the Bowstones checkpoint for every one of the succeeding events – quite a record and one for which I am most grateful.
I owe an apology to Trevor Faulkner of Wilmslow for misreading his category on the results board and not crediting him with his first V70 position – this has now been rectified and his “Running Bear” voucher is on its way.
If I can manage another twenty-five years of organising the race I’ll be ninety-four for the fiftieth anniversary – doubt it somehow but I’ve enjoyed it, I hope everyone who ran on Wednesday enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing you next year. Dave Jones

This race had to be cancelled as the severe weather made conditions unsafe for the runners and marshals. Apologies to everyone who turned up.
The senior race will not be rescheduled. As the junior race was part of the WFRA Snowdonia Junior Series it may be rescheduled (to be confirmed).
Ross