Last Saturday was the second race of the British Championships, Ras Y Moelwyn which also featured in the Todmorden Harriers Grand Prix Club Championship. Ten Tod Harriers ventured to Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales for the iconic mountain race involving 9.5 miles and 2900 feet of ascent. The race set off from the centre of town and then gradually ascended up the first of 4 summits, Moelwyn Mawr and into the clag, and the start of some interesting route choices. Conditions were good, warm and cloudy and the terrain was varied, with rocky ascents and grassy descents.
The race was won by Jack Wood of Ilkley Harriers in 1:21:03 and first lady was Kelli Roberts of Helm Hill in 1:34:33. Todmorden’s Andrew Worster had a brilliant run finishing in ninth place in 1:24:42. Jon Wright was the first Vet 40 counter for Todmorden in 1:39:27 and 59th overall, Nick Barber had a strong run finishing in 1:44:13 and 75th, two places behind was Dwane Dixon in 1:45:07 and Stuart Wolstonholme completed the Vet 40 team, finishing in 2:06:40, 165th. Rebecca Patrick was the first Todmorden woman back in 2:04, 146th, just in front of Ricky Parish in 2:04:05 and closely followed by Mel Blackhurst in 2:05:13 (154th). Rebecca Senior was the third Tod lady back in 2:11:30 (189th) and Derek Donohue finished in 2:33:52, 241st overall.
