Conditions were nigh on perfect for fell running, with no rain for a week the ground was neither boggy nor hard; the air was cool and there was a dead calm on the summit. All that was lacking was some sunshine to show off Meirionnydd in its autumnal glory. 90 runners gathered at the newly refurbished hall for the first in the Winter Series and the last of the WFRA’s North Series. This year’s race was enlivened by the leading runners having to contend with a convoy of 4x4s ascending the once green lane they have so badly damaged.
The men’s race was led from start to finish by Meirionnydd’s Ben Porter who extended his lead at every checkpoint to finish in 50:07 from Calder Valley’s Gavin Roberts (V40) second in 51:23 and Eryri Harrier Sion Edwards third in 53:37. 4th placed Gavin Roberts had the 1st V40 prize as consolation some 2.5 minutes behind. The closest battle in the men’s competition was for 1st V50. Race record holder Lloyd Taggart (Manx Fell Runners) led them home in 10th place overall. Having opened a 40 second lead at the summit from Martin Cliffe, he lost some ground on the descent to the bwlch but they matched each other on the lower course; making up 38 seconds down the last section was not enough for Mike Frost to change the order.
Tony Hall (Eryri) was first V60 in 1:06:40 several minutes ahead of his nearest rival, and Guto Brown also of Eryri was first O/M<23 in 1:09:21. Gary Gunner’s (Croft Ambrey) 2016 V70 record was taken from him by Eryri’s youthful Mike Snell with a time of 1:17:42; club mate Dei Jones became the inaugural V75 winner with a sub 1:40 time and 83rd place overall.
The women’s race provided the greatest excitement of the day with only 13 seconds separating the first 3 places. Miranda Grant-Roberts (V40)(Eryri) had a 46 second lead at the first checkpoint from youngster Bethan Billington (Eryri) with Mynydd Du’s Rhian Probert (V50) also 7 seconds ahead of Billington, who lost further time by the summit being 2:07 behind Grant-Roberts. However, she powered down to the bwlch only 7 seconds behind Probert and then with eagles wings, flew down the lower part to overtake Probert and her club mate and finish in 1:06:10 with Grant-Roberts 1:06:19 and Probert 1:06:23. This meant Billington had shaved 19 seconds off her club’s Bronwen Jenkinson’s 2015 record.
Jackie Lee (Eryri). 4 times Winter Series winner, was awarded the FV50 prize finishing in 1:08:56 as 4th female finisher and 34th overall. Meirionnydd duo Elen Evans was first F40 in 1:18:06 and Juliet Edwards was FV60 in 1:22:55 . Lili Roberts was awarded the F<23 prize. The amazing Maggie Oliver won the inaugural FV75 prize.
Team Prizes:
Mens Team Meirionnydd: Ben Porter 1st Simon Newman 5th and Llion Jones 20th
Womens Team Eryri: Bethan Billington 1st Miranda Grant-Roberts 2nd Jackie Lee 4th
Junior Race:
Josh Little (9) of Gog Tri completed the course in a creditable 19:18 whilst his sister Ellie (12) took the girl’s prize also under the 20 minutes some 35 seconds behind. - whilst their Mum and Dad took part in the main race - a family day out!
Meirionnydd: Club Pride and Community Spirit
23 Goats took part in the first Winter Series race, 6 women and 17 men. Ben Porter did us proud with an emphatic win ahead of Calder Vale’s Gavin Roberts, with Simon Newman and Llion Jones earning us the team prize. Jade Phillips was our first Woman home and Elen Evans and Juliet Edwards also won category prizes.
Once again, the club put on a great event. Conditions were not challenging but as usual everyone seems to know what they are doing and gets the job done. The reliance on mobile phones this year worked well. We were able to share more information without hogging the airwaves and visual messaging was clearer than some radio chat. Also no one had to sit all alone on a different hill! We had some twenty marshals, goats, friends and family ensuring all were safe and no sheep went missing (though one was an early starter up the course!)
It was a pleasure and an honour to host the final race in the WFRA North Series, and we are grateful to the WFRA for all the work they put in to organising fell running in Wales and particularly to Ellie Salisbury who, as she is putting this year’s series to bed, is also putting the final touches to next year’s north and south series and Welsh championships. If you aren’t a member, please consider supporting the WFRA -it’s £10 well spent and next year’s membership is open now.
The catering was very welcome. I’m sure we had more variety of soups than ever before, and the kitchen again made a significant contribution to the race budget. Thanks to all the wonderful chefs and helpers. The post race atmosphere is what makes this race special.
South Snowdonia rescue team again supported the event with a rapid response team at the bwlch. Fortunately they were not needed. We had one runner retire within yards of the start with a nasty faceplant from a trip. Fortunately apart from a bit of a twisted ankle and being rather shocked he was OK after.
We are forever grateful for the landowners permission and say a special thank-you to Nannau Estates and their staff for their support over the 24 years of the event.
And finally thanks to the Llanfachreth Village Hall Committee for the great job they have done in refurbishing the village hall, providing much updated facilities whilst retaining the wonderful cosy ambiance which has made the hall so welcoming on a November afternoon over the years. Chris Smith has been hugely helpful and accommodating in helping us to stage this bigger than usual event. Diolch yn fawr.
