This classic fell race is said to be the oldest in Wales. It is not surprising it keeps going, it’s a great event. It is tough but runable with mixed terrain; grassy open areas, rocky tracks, a bit of road and the famous “bog”. It doesn’t go up huge mountains, but is liable to the worst of the weather, being mainly at over 1500 feet, exposed to the sea and held in mid-November. It is on-line entries only, with no entries on the day and stringent kit checks for waterproofs, maps, compass. As the organiser says in the notes to runners “Do not underestimate this event”.
Five Buckley Runners turned up for the event. A slightly altered course this year; running anti-clockwise instead and finishing down a very steep slippery single track described as “Overtaking not advised”. Nevertheless it is great fun, and the weather was fairly kind. Cold but not freezing, sun shining at times, visibility down to 50m (metres not miles!) at others, wet underfoot. Some excellent performances; Jez Brown continues his fine runs with 5th overall in 1hr 13.49 and John Morris 88th in 1hr 37.15 was first M60. Excellent runs too from Simon Roberts 25th in 1hr 22.23 and Paul Donoghue 112th in 1hr 41.03. Rob brought up the rear in 195th (out of 237) in 2hrs 02.18 (2.01.20 according to results). We retired to the “Fairy Glen” pub for soup and rolls provided to all runners, and lengthy discussions of the course, the weather and who did what.
Good race, good results, good company. A race to be recommended.
Posted by Rob
Well done all, some really good results there, pictures on the web are good too
ReplyDeleteThanks for the report Rob - great to see everyone there. I really like this event, despite the number of distressingly fit runners it attracts, and think I just about preferred it in the opposite direction. Anyone that knows the route will agree that Jez's time is frightening!
ReplyDeleteSGR