This little race is part of Rhayader Carnival week celebrations and goes up to the large cairn at the summit of Gwastedyn Hill just south of the town centre. A distance of 3.8 miles and 950 feet of ascent.
It was a very busy Tuesday evening for the 89 senior and 82 junior runners starting from the cattle market in the town centre. Juniors, under 16, set off 10 minutes before the main race. A fast tarmac start south down the A470 for around half a mile to the sewage works, where a local farmer had stopped the traffic with his landrover!
From here it was all uphill to the summit, firstly on a muddy woodland path, where the first of the juniors were reeled in, and then on lovely grassy open hillside. I managed to also reel in some seniors who had set off far to fast and run out of steam on the ascent. A loop of a bog on the summit plateau and then a great fast grassy descent back to the top of the muddy woodland path where my X-Talon Ultra 260's were perfect allowing me to pick up another couple of places as others were sliding all over the place. Back into town on the A470 and the finish.
A really enjoyable race and great to see so many youngsters taking part. The race was won by Jonathan Pugh of Builth and District RC in 28.39 and the first lady was Zoe Zembrzuski, 11th overall in 35.59. I was 6th and 2nd V40 (only senior and V40 categories) in 32.22.
Back to the Angel in Llani where a very good Jemima's Pitchfork 4.5% from the Glamorgan Brewing Co provided rehydration.
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