Pen Tir Drop Race Reports 2016

There was no real interest from local fell running clubs for this one, held on a cold, mainly dry day, with a sprinkling of snow on top. Only 2 each from MDC and Mynydd Du. The race attracted a discouraging 14 runners. First back was Andrew May, MV40, Unattached, in 34 mins. 52 secs. with Grant Lewis, MMRT, Senior Male, 2nd in 35 mins. 12 secs., John Nicoll MV40, Keswick AC, third in 35 mins. 17 secs. and Richie Johnson MV40, Mynydd Du, 4th in 35 mins. 30 secs. Andy Creber, Chestow Harriers, was 1st MV50 in 40 mins. 11 secs, Les Pugh MDC, 1st MV60 in 63 mins. 43 secs. and 1st MV70 Lloyd Griffiths, Strathearn Harriers in 47 mins 46 secs. First, and only lady in the race, Rona Davies FV50, Mynydd Du in 45 min. 25 sec. Our thanks go to Andy Creber for the car-parking duties, Rob Brown for manning the road gate and the ever enduring Martin and Kay Lucas for looking after the checkpoints on the hill. 2015

A nice, dry day with light breezes for a run from Cwmdu up over Pen Tir on Valentines day. First man home in 31mins. 53secs. was Mark Palmer MV 50 of Mynydd Du with Ben Moon of MDC second in 33mins. 28secs., bearing the scars of a close encounter with lots of gorse and brambles. They were closely followed by Andrew May, unattached, in 33mins. 34secs. First lady and 11th overall in 39mins. 46secs. was Niki Morgan FV 40 of Chepstow Harriers with Lucy Baker of MDC, second in 41mins. 30secs. Third lady in 44mins. 4secs. was Amy Jones of TACH. At the finish, a choice of eight fabulous cakes created by Co-Race organiser Karen or heart shaped Welsh cakes cobbled together by the other RO plus tea and coffee, was the reward for the 29 souls who ventured forth and made it back to base. A few took the short route back through the gorse and brambles. They were the ones with scratched, red striped, lacerated legs ! You can't tell these old gnarled runners; they know best ! Grateful thanks to Niki who helped Karen at Registration and results, Andy Creber for cramming the cars onto the carpark and Andy Blackmore who stood guard on the gate leading onto the hill both in and out. No livestock escaped ! (the runners scared the life out of them !!). Thanks also to Kay and Martin Lucas who were our marshals on the hill, Martin getting a run in as sweeper. We'll be there again next year !

Gareth Jones (Race Organiser)

2014 2013

Eventual winner Ben Moon was pressured by young Chris Jones until the turn at Pen Tir cairn, but thereafter steadily pulled away to establish a half-minute finishing lead. His time of just over 31 ½ minutes seems a good target for future runnings of this new race considering that the published length of 5k was found to be over a mile short of the true distance! M40 and M50 winners Rich Johnson and Max Suff were just two and three minutes abaft in third and fourth, Max having fought an epic tussle with rival age category man Kevin Hagley. Dai Smout and Rob West secured the remaining age group places. Katie Beecher continued her winning streak in eighth place overall, with Niki Morgan and Erin Ballard atop the other podium platforms. Sharon Woods, F50 winner, was only one place behind.

The organiser was pleasantly surprised to hear that many runners had found a moment to enjoy the fine all-round views in the mild, clear conditions. Thanks are due to marshals Kay Lucas, John Battersby and Gill Stott, as well as HQ workers Sue Ashton, Jess Taylor and Paula. Dick Finch.