Report by Arwel Lewis

The first race of the Welsh Athletics Mountain Running Championships took place at Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd on what turned out to be a sunny Saturday afternoon as the early morning rain and clouds cleared to leave ideal running conditions for the 66 competitors who ran over the summits of Drum, Foel Fras, Carnedd Gwenllian and Moel Wnion followed by a steep descent back to Abergwyngregyn.

Serpentine’s Welsh athlete Richard Phillips made everyone take note that he is out to win the title this year as he won the race in a time of 1:37:41, only three seconds off Richard Roberts course record. He was followed by the Eryri lot and last year's race winner Matthew Roberts (1:43:15) with 3^rd Slovenia-bound Iain Ridgway (1:47:08), 4^th Chris Near (1:48:24), 5^th (1^st MV/40) Johnny Moore (1:52:50), 6^th (2^nd MV/40) Paul Jenkinson (1:55:37), 7^th Jack Scannell (1:56:20), 8^th Graham Hill (Calder Vale) (1:57:20), 9^th Craig South (U/A) (1:58:07) and 10^th Jos Jones (Aberystwyth AC) (1:58:24). 1^st MV/50 was Arwel Lewis (Eryri) (2:00:15), 1^st MV/60 Mike Blake (Eryri) (2:37:30).

The 1st female athlete to finish was Eryri’s Becki Law in a time of 2:09:09 followed by club colleague Jenny Heming (2:16:11) with 3^rd & 1^st FV/40 Serena Wagg (2:21:38). 1^st FV/50 was Stel Farrar (Eryri) (2:37:31) and 1^st FV/60 Maggie Oliver (Eryri) (2:58:09).

Overall a well marshaled and organised event.

Race No 2: Coity race. Nr Blaenafon on Saturday 25^th June at 1pm.