Event Report
Report by John Collins
The annual Red Kite Trail race was held on Bank Holiday over its traditional testing, hilly 11 mile course starting and finishing at Nant yr Arian, east of Aberystwyth. Initially, weather conditions were good but back markers in the 100+ finishers were subjected to heavy showers including one sharp hailstorm.
The race incorporated both UK short course and Welsh championships and also included an inaugural Junior race over approximately 5Km which was won by Joshua Dixon (Abergele H) with Lauren Harries (Aber AC) first female.
Comfortable winner of the main race was international fell racer, Tim Davies (Maldwyn); he was chased home by Afan Humpries (Swansea) and Peter Ryder (Cardiff), ahead of another fell racer, Richard Roberts (Eryri). Jo Meek (Tavistock) won the women's event whilst Phoebe Webster (Aber Un) took the Welsh title ahead of Anna Bartlett (Shrewsbury) runner-up.
With Afan Humphries backed up by Steve Davies 9th and Ifan Lloyd 10th Swansea Harriers clearly won both UK and Welsh men's team titles with Brecon AC second and Eryri H third. Cardigan Harriers took the women's team title.
Summary Results.
Junior 5km
1 J Dixon (Abergele) 18-26 (U20)
2 A Lanz (Meiryonydd) 21-27 (U17)
3 Lauren Harries (Aber AC) 22-25 (U17F)
4 D Roberts (Bro Dysinni) 22-58 (U17)
5 Megan Turner (Aber AC) 23-02 (U15F)
Red Kite Challenge.
1 Tim Davies (Maldwyn H) 70-55
2 Afan Humphries (Swansea H) 71-40 (U23)
3 Peter Ryder (Cardiff AAC) 72-15
4 Robert Richards (Eryri H) 74-37
9 Steve Davies (Swansea H) 79-27
10 Ifan Lloyd (Swansea H) 79-33 (M50)
18 Jo Meek (Tavistock AC) 83-11
29 Phoebe Webster (Aber AC) 84-36
30 Anna Bartlett (Shrewsbury AC) 85-45 (W40)
Event Details
Location: Nant yr Arian (10miles East of Aberystwyth on the A44)
Start time: 1:00 pm
The Course: 11miles of off road undulations and great views
How to enter: online at Runners' World or with the downloadable Entry Form
Cost: £8/£10 unattached - £2 extra on day
The programme also includes races for Under 17 (both men and women, 4 miles) and Under 20 (men and women, 6 miles).
For more information, contact Dic on (01974) 261202 or 07773435073 mob or e-mail.
This event is part of the Weekend Red Kite Challenge: although runners can enter either of the races independently prizes are offered for the Weekend challenge based on the fastest aggregate time for both races. The change of date to the Bank Holiday Weekend will mean runners will not have to travel back home on the Sunday evening but enjoy the weekend and make a more leisurely departure on Monday.
More information available on the event's Official website.