Clwydian Fell Race

I was blessed this weekend to spend it mostly covered in sweat…. gorse needles and sheep ticks….. but in the company of a couple of dozen fab folk. Regulars, first timers, old timers – salt of the earth the lot of them.

Course was set. Course was run. Blood was drawn. Icepops were sucked. Beers were guzzled. Sunburn was tended.

Lawrence took home the trophy (again) – now not saying he was taking NO PRISONERS but someone commented why he was running in tracksuit & long sleeved top in 26deg….. well both Lawrence & I knew that Andrew Thomas had smashed a great time on the Saturday night (as part of the Denbigh Splitters as the club shall now be known) – so I knew why #have-it.

That said I almost DSQ him for logging his time after the nominal 2pm deadline….. but talk about top class – he ended up chaperoning 3 newbies & Willem around the course. The guy finished 6th at Wasdale the day before in stinking heat and still came to support my little funny race. In the 12 odd years that I have been RO, Lawrence has been a constant. Constant smile, constant cheer, constant weak pre-race excuses, constant thorn in the side for the other runners, constant brilliant bloke. Thankyou fella – you are a star.

….and the newbies – just thought they would have a crack on their way back from Yorkshire 3 peaks heading to Somerset and Lincoln (still unsure how they fit). Jake smashed it – couple of off-piste excursions cost him a better time but he did a fab job trying to stay with Lawrence. Laura Buckley – fab job. You do know realise I need to find a Maria Deeside, Sue Clwydian & a Phillipa Wrexham ACC now don’t you!

Special spot prize to James Bayford for the fastest descent down Stage 10 – though a massive nod to Mr Eccles on Stage 7 descent off Moel y Gaer in 3min with high gorse & bracken.

Full results up on T&P menu here. Remember GPS based timing can be a little wonky so don’t get massively stressed (I believe Mr Bayford is asking for recount on both Henry & Tom…. unlucky James – next time run faster).

Few of you have not sent me your gpx files yet…. sorry Juliette Bisto Jus Granules – missed you off the list – OK it was on purpose for not liking gravy – only joking – but not joking about the yorkshire puddings!

Denbigh Splitters suggested a Boxing Day Enduro……. hmmmm may get messy.

Tuesday 16th January 2024

137 runners in 44 teams took part on a chilly snow dusted course. Running clockwise and with more of a mass start than last year meant quite a few stile queues formed initially – apologies I will fix if we do another.

A more aggressive handicap system was used based on number of runners, oldest runner & male/female/mixed ratio in the teams. The balance was slightly too generous to older/larger groups who scooped 1st & 2nd place ahead of the Eccles/Gomez (actual winners) so maybe this needs to be dialled back.

Lovely to hear from so many of you afterwards. Can you believe a few folks ran this as their first fell race!

Think everyone had a good run and some fun. Bit of snow. Pics from the ridge looked ace. Chaotic prize giving. You all got a free sauna in the pub afterwards.

Super happy Landlady. Super large stack of loo rolls provisioned for the village toilets – loads of happy bums for visitors & those caught short. Turns out the public (i.e. you) don’t think public conveinences are inconvienent like the council do. Thankyou for helping keep our loos open.

Couple of other RO learning points gained throughout the night which I will roll forward.

Results

Clwydian Hills – Sun 27th Oct – Entries closed. Results

Cilcain Mountain Race – Mon 26th Aug – Entries closed. Results.

Team Fell Enduro – Sun 14th July – Trods & Plods MapRun event being held in its place. A bit longer. A bit harder! Info. Results

Sheeptracks – Sun 25th Feb – 10am – Entries Closed. Results

The Horse – Tues 16th Jan – 7pm – Entries Closed – Results

Whoops – lost the website. Note to self – do not rely on crappy web hosting. So normal service will be resumed in……. a while.