On Saturday five Buckley Runners ran the 38th Annual
Penmaenmawr Fell Race (usually called “Pen Fell” for brevity), claimed to be
the oldest fell race in Wales.
After a wet summer competitors were warned in advance that the course
was wet. Heavy rain overnight continuing into the morning could only add to it.
Fortunately as we drove west along A55 the sky cleared and we were treated to
fabulous weather; cool, sunny with a light breeze. This race comes with dire
warnings not to be underestimated; in foul weather there is little margin for
error or stupidity up there on open moorland. Fortunately the weather was kind
this year.
233 runners had entered the race (you have to enter on-line, no entries
on the day) and on the day 193 turned up. One DNF but the other 192 sploshed
and splashed and slithered round a roughly triangular route on the high ground
behind the quarries at Penmaenmawr for a little short of 11 miles. It includes
a steep climb to start followed by steady climbing for another couple of miles,
a very wet boggy section, a short road section, rocky and undulating tracks and
paths heading north back to a very steep, slippery drop down the notorious “Donkey
Path” back to the village hall at Capelulo. Hot soup and a roll are very
welcome rewards for the finishers along with a bottle of “Pen Fell Ale”
provided by Bragdy Conwy.
It was a good day for the club. Jez Brown had an absolutely magnificent run to take first place overall and in 1st MV40 against some class opposition. At the back of the leading group at the top
of the Donkey Track Jez decided to go for it on the slippery descent, not only
passing the others but opening out a 24 second gap to finish in 1.17.21. Superb stuff, Well
done Jez.
Simon Roberts was 10th overall in 1.22.16 with 4th MV40.
Peter Roberts was 63th overall in1.37.47, winning the MV70 class by 64 minutes!
John Morris was 97th overall in1.44.03 taking 3rd MV60
Last Buckley runner home was Robert Mackey in 167th place with a time of 2.12.07, 13th of 17 MV60's in the race. (that's nearly 15% of the men running)
It was an excellent day, and I thoroughly enjoyed the race. I was
surprised to be 8 minutes slower than last year, but in the same position (167th
out of 192 this year and 167th out of 190 last year) with the same
runners around me! Perhaps the wet and slippery conditions did make a
difference, certainly the bog was heavy going and the tracks were very slippery.
Nothing to do with being a year older after all.
Rob
Cheers Rob. Interesting to hear you were slower than last year - I was a bit slower than previous years too, and thought it might have been a tad boggier. But it didn't seem to affect Jez or Pete!!
ReplyDeleteThe reason for that, Simon, is that mere mortals like you and I run through the bog, splashing and squelching and sliding. We therefore are slowed down by the difficult conditions. Others who simply glide over the top are unaffected by such trifles as knee-deep bogs and water!
ReplyDeleteFantastic performances all and what icing on the cake for Jez brilliant.
DeleteFunnily enough I was just flicking through the latest Fell Runner magazine and yet again virtual every race records top notch performances from Buckley colleagues and this set against some of the 'elite' in the discipline if that's not a contradiction in 'fell terms'.
Whilst I'm on can I thanks Pete for the invitation to his 28th birthday, Pete, love to come. I see the disguise worked again then mate and you got in the V70 group!!
Take care