Moel Wnion Race

It was my first fell race of the season on Saturday, at Moel Wnion.
The 4.5m (7.2km)1800ft (549m) climb started at Abergwyngregyn, with a steep ascent to the summit of Moel Wnion. Runners from the friendly Hunters Bogg Trotters came down all the way from Scotland, together with runners from Ambleside and Mercia and the local clubs meant that the field was quite strong.

I warmed up on the roads with my new Inov 8 Road X 255's, which, as soon as put them on my feet felt extremely comfortable. More from me on the new road shoe, as soon as I get a proper chance to use them.

I was competing in the same race as the senior runners, but in the U18 category. I was about 6th at the top of the first climb
but lost places on the way to the summit. The X Talons 212's coped well, with plenty of grip, which gave me the confidence to run hard on the way down,

I passed 13 runners, to come home in a time of 45:28, coming home in 1st junior and 19th overall position.
Good day’s running with a welcome panad and something to eat at Yr Hen Felin, Abergwyngregyn.

More pictures can be seen here, courtesey of Pete Mac and on Al Tye's Fell Running Pictures website. Race results can be found here.

Ras y Gadair

The annual Ras y Gadair (Cadair Idris) fell race yesterday, so time to have some rain. Dry conditions at the start gave false hope as the rain came down heavily further up the mountain.

My usual U16 category was replaced with U18, which meant I had to run the official 10k (actually 11.2kM) with the senior runners, before turning back for home and allowing them to go to visit the giant Idris at the summit!
I was in the main pack on the first hill climb of the day, which is actually the road leading up to the mountain. At my turning point I was 16th, but came home in my X talon 212's to take the win in my first U18 race.

Pictures of the race can be seen on Sportpicturescymru and Fellrunningpictures, with a race report from the excellent website Mud Sweat and Tears.

My younger brother, Rhys, also got in on the action, by winning the U14 category.

Abergwyngregyn Tuesday Night Series

6th race of the Tuesday Night Series last night. 4.5mile of firstly extremely steep run, followed by a fast course, crossing the bottom the famous Aber Falls.

Another good turnout, with a good selection of my category, U16 runners as well.

I was 5th at the top of the first hill, before the downhill fast course commenced. Final position 7th, with 1st U16 runner.

Crossing the Bridge at the bottom of Aber Falls.

Some pictures are on SportpicturesCymru and Fellrunningpictures.

Pen Dinas Tuesday Night Series

The fourth race in the Eryri Harriers Tuesday Night Series took place yesterday, with about 500m of climbing in about a mile, it was a hard race. My new X Talon 212's got their first airing, and they performed superbly in the dry conditions.

Another win in my category still leaves top of the U16 series table.

Mynydd Mawr Tuesday Night Series

It was the 3rd race of the very popular Tuesday Night Series, organised by Mike Blake and Eryri Harriers yesterday. Still competing as an U16, I was able to start with the senior runners, but as the rules say I can only run 4 miles, there was no trip to the top of Mynydd Mawr today.

A good start saw me in 12th place before the long slog to the top (for most at least) started. At my turn around point, I'd made some places up and was 6th overall.

An steep and undulating race to the finish saw me confirm my 1st place as U16, and also confirming me as 1st overall in the series.

Next race is at Nant Peris on the 27 April.