The Green Green Grass of home.

The Green Green Grass of home. (Wednesday 22nd July from The Golden Lion at Llangynhafal)
The last of Martin’s summer series was a pleasant surprise. Martin likes to change the route every year, usually managing to make it slightly harder than before. Last year this race was a real tough one, with three big climbs, the last of which you needed ladder to get up. This year because of bracken control by helicopter large parts of the mountain were not accessible so we enjoyed a shortened version. It did include the famous gully but changes to the route meant we started part-way up at bottom of the gravel section instead of the long approach to it up the valley. Then there was a final climb to the summit of Moel Famau followed by a long fast descent to the ford, a short climb through the bracken and another fast run down to the finish.
Club numbers were a bit down on previous event, but several were marshalling, giving encouragement to everybody, in their own inimitable style!
There were seven Buckley Runners in the race. Jez Brown was a remarkable 4th in 32.06. Truly remarkable after his superb run at Snowdon 4 days earlier. Simon Edwards was an excellent 8th in 34.01, James Pickering 18th in 36.04. First vet home was Dave Boothroyd 27th 36.40. Sam Roberts was 66th in 45.23, Robert Mackey was 70th in 46.15, closely followed by Fenella Higgins in 72nd place in 46.41
Paul Stinton and Sue Ridings were at the event running in Clwydian colours.
And afterwards in true fell running fashion we all went to the pub. An altogether enjoyable evening.
Posted by Rob.