For the third year in a row we were blessed with amazing weather (and a dry – and therefore non-lethal- final descent) for the Moel Wnion race. Despite other events in North Wales and a little known road race in London…over 50 runners came out to Ysgol Llanllechid for the race.

The hot weather combined with the race coming just a week after the first British Champs race (and only four days after the most recent of the local Tuesday Night series race) meant that some legs were undoubtedly tired and records would be hard to break. Despite this, strong performances and good contests were on show throughout.

In the men’s race Matt Fortes (Eryri, 42.34) was first across the line followed by Max Dunford (St Davids, 1st U18, 43.41) and Jonathan Tyler (Betsi Runaways, 44.36). Max was the first to the summit of Moel Wnion, but some good local knowledge from Matt meant that he could catch him up over the last three hills and get down through the Moel Faban gorse the quickest to win the first prize of a leg of Moel Wnion lamb.

In the ladies, Andrea Rowlands (Eryri) also took home some lamb. coming in 1st (5th overall, 45.57) followed by Rachub’s own Catherine Connell (Eryri 49.39). However performance of the day came from 16 year old Gwyneth Parry (Deeside, 52.03) to claim 3rd place and 1st U18. With Under 18s in the top 3 in both the mens and ladies there are clearly some talented juniors around in North Wales! There were V40 wins for Craig Jones (Eryri, 44.51) and Ellie Robinson (West Chesire, 53.02), with Buckley’s Vic Belshaw and Emma Collins taking the V50 prizes (in 46.18 and 56.16 respectively). In the V70s, John Morris (Buckley, 59.01) took the mens prize with Eryri legend Maggie Oliver (74.26) taking the ladies.

Apparently there were some issues with marshalls not quite being in the right place at the start (I’ll give them some navigation lessons for next year), which might have affected the first few runners, as well as a radio that went missing and was then found…. but alls well that ends well…!

Once again a massive group of people came out in force to support the event. A big thanks to everyone from the school for the food, Bethesda Pottery and Glanmor farm for the prizes, and all the marshalls out on the hill. Big thanks as always to Mike Blake for sweeping.

Photos from the race can be found on the link from the race facebook page at www.facebook.com/rasmoelwnion or from Steve Jeffrey’s pages directly

See you in 2019       Ross