Waw, what a day!
Firstly, sorry it’s taken so long to put the results up. I have so many people to see, and I like to make sure the course is clear. Sunday is recovery day, and I like to try and spend it with the Northern crew who come all the way down just to help out! Thanks.
Any issues with times or positions, then please email me. 😉
Right, back to race day. The weather! What a day? It really couldn’t have been better could it. Not too hot, not too cold for you and the army of marshals and supporters. The day before saw very heavy rain, and this made record times very hard to beat, and made the legs even more tired.
After rushing around getting things ready we were up by the starting line. Before I had a chance to say my race briefing, S4C(welsh version of course!) wanted a quick word! Yes, they were here for the first time, and they wanted an interview………there and then! lol No pressure!!! It was great to see the edited programme on ‘Heno’ on Monday 14th. I was quite overwhelmed by it all to be honest! Diolch.
The briefing came and went. Btw, how much do you runners actually listen to the briefing? We then held a 30 second silence for those lost recently. Steve and Hedley- you will forever be in my thoughts. Thank you. 😉 Then for the hugs! Yes, hugs!!! For those who have never been, I ask each runner to do a ‘best of luck’ hug to three other runners before they set off. Well, it brings a smile or two. lol
Three, two, one, and they’re off!
The Ultra and Beast runners set off together at 10am, and local boy Andrew Hughes battled with newbie Beastie Daniel Mutlow at the front all the way until The Carn Ingli climb. Although Daniel is from London, he must be used to hills somewhere as he started to show Andrew a clean pair of heels and wasn’t really under any further pressure and eventually won by a 10minute margin. In fact he’d stopped for a chat with the two marshals for two minutes just before the Beasts lair a mile or so before the finish!
Local lass Tasha Sexton had been having serious coaching lessons from Shan Jones coaching, and it certainly showed as nobody came close to her, and finished 5th overall.
The Beast is just that, A Beast. So, why do some think that it’s going to be easy??? lol
Now for the Beast of Beasts. The Ultra. Duane Roberts who was battling at the sharp end had to cut his run short as he’d gone over on his ankle twice on the way down to Newport! This let Aberystwyth AC runner Balazs Pinter to the front, only for him to lose his way slightly on the extra run out to Foel Drygarn. A quick phone call to me, and he carried on in reverse direction. He must have gone somewhat lost again and seriously lost the lead. The ever strong Dave Powell from the same club who always does well on the Beast eventually took the win in a great time of 5hrs 26mins. Not bad for a MV50!!! Balazs eventually came in 6th. Katie Ironside took the ladies category comfortably, and an amazing 4th overall saw her smash the ladies course record in 5hrs 40mins! Mind you she was closely followed by another skirted runner, Little Dave Cummins who was wearing his usual attire, a pink tutu outfit! 37 of the 50 Ultra starters completed the full course. Last but not least of the Ultrabeasters was a very happy if tired Jason who was successful on his third attempt. I was soooooo happy to see him running down through the village. 😉
The 12.30 matinee showing saw a record 203 Beasties toe the line. I’m pretty sure the first ones had gone past the school before the final ones had crossed the starting line! It was some sight. Sarn Helen’s Dylan Lewis took to the front and crossed the line 6minutes ahead of Cardigan RC’s Mark Horsman who was followed in closely by team mate Alex Ferraro. Glyn Price was 1st MV50 and 5th overall. The overall ladies race was much closer, with only 9seconds separating LTR coaching’s Celia Boothman(FV40), and Sarn Helen’s (OF) Dee Jolly. 13th and 14th respectively. The rest of the bunch enjoyed the mud, the hills, the views, the banter!
A huge massive thanks to each and every one of the marshals(who are totally amazing), registration ladies, Roland and Pat for timings, sponsors, Princess gate water, Cotswold outdoors, Tshirt sponsors The Globe and Caffi’r Sgwar, the villagers and local community, Ian and the crew for doing the food, everyone who brought CAKE, the northern crew, The lobster and the clown, The Beastly top of town band, Huw George for the finishing commentary, you runners, Mike ‘the sweeper’ Evans, but most of all my family,who really put up with my madness. Where would I be if it weren’t for my family, or the hills!
Here are just some of the comments! Bless you. –“Best race……ever!” “Never run a race quite like it. The views, the support, the drummers, the HILLS!!!, the cawl, the cake, the smiles.” “Caz and team. What a day? You brought the best of weather, the views, the villagers came out of the woodwork. Waw, best race I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a few. Well worth travelling the 300 mile round trip. See you next year.” “Third year doing the Beast, and it doesn’t come any easier! I can’t help myself to run as it’s such a brilliant event. It just keeps on getting better and better. The TV coverage was all it deserves. Da iawn I chi gyd.” “Best race, as it has so much cake” “Still can’t over what I did on Saturday. The route had everything. Mud, hills, grass, more hills, more mud, a lobster and a clown, great marshals, quirky signs, awesome villagers, and the cawl and cake was the best! I’ll be back
One sad part of the day was the runner who broke his ankle in the Beasts lair! We managed to get him out, not the easiest of places to get someone out and he was of to Hospital. I’m sure you’re all with me to wish the runner a speedy and full recovery.
Let this be a warning to anyone going off running in the hills. Always be prepared for the worst! Mobile in a waterproof case, coat, gloves, hat, etc. You never know?
Well, on that note, shall we do it again next year? Ok then, it’ll be on May 11th 2019……… if we’re still here. 😉 Hwyl a diolch I chi gyd.