SIMON, KING OF THE MOUNTAINS
popular Buff Winter Trail half marathon saw 632 runners from across Wales and England converge on the Coed y Brenin Forest Park in Snowdonia to tackle the challenging scenic tracks and trails.
The near-perfect weather conditions proved favourable for race winner Rob Samuel of Eryri Harriers, who broke the course record to finish in an impressive 1:24:40.
The first female, and 14th overall, was Mercia Fell runner Rachel Parker in a phenomenal 1:38:17.
Also among the experienced field were eight Sarn Helen runners and first home for the club in 24th overall was Simon Hall, making light work of the testing route in 1:43:14.
In hot pursuit was veteran runner Carwyn Davies, 30th overall in 1:45:48, but the star performance for the club on the day was Dee Jolly, who picked her way through the field to claim 2nd lady and 35th overall in a strongly contested race in 1:47:24.
An ever-improving George Eadon ran 1:48:58, 40th overall. Another club veteran, Nigel Davies, followed in 1:52:09 for 55th overall, Steven Holmes was pleasantly surprised to finish well in 2:10:00 and 211th overall, amazing his club-mates just weeks after recovering from a serious illness which left him unable to walk.
His wife Jane Holmes followed in 2:58:46, 549th overall, and a deter- mined Nicola Davies, struggling with a knee injury, finished in 3:04:55, 581st overall.
The same day the club had three representatives at the very fast Twin Piers 10k road race, organised by Colwyn Bay AC. Matthew McCormack of Crewe placed 1st overall in 33:25 and the winning lady, Gemma Moore of North Wales Road Runners, ran 39:37.
Clinching third in the M35 class, Ken Caulkett was the first Sarn runner to finish in a fantastic time, 18th overall, in 37:02. Caryl Wyn Davies gave a staggering performance and knocked nearly three minutes off her 2017 time, placing 3rd lady overall and 2nd in her class in 41:21. Jenny Caulkett was 12th in her class in 56:02.
The Cors Caron 5k and 10k event were held along the disused railway line that leads from Tregaron to Bont.
Despite the dreary morning a significant crowd was out on the track, whether taking part or supporting.
The first challenge of the day saw a group of keen children race along the track, with Sarn Helen well repre- sented. Siblings Gwenllian and Tudur Llwyd were the first two to finish, closely followed by Steffan Rivers.
Sarn Helen also had three juniors take on the 5k race. Llyr Rees finished in 31:23, Jamie Jones ran 25:50 and Harri Rivers crossed the line in 24:48.
Two adult members also completed the 5k course. Lyn Rees ran 29:18 and Anwen Davies ran a trophy-winning time of 28:05.
Sarn Helen had 14 runners in the 10k race, and the overall turnout was more than 100, proving the growing popularity of running.
Eleri Rivers finished 2nd female overall in 44:37, with Sian Roberts Jones 5th in 49:11. Carol Rees ran strongly to finish in 54:47, with Nicola Williams close behind in 55:11.
Four Sarn Helen ladies finished within a minute and a half of each other: Liz Pugh 58:24, Nanette John 58:31, Sandra Dabner 59:52 and Rebecca Doswell 59:57.
Mike Davies of Bont was the first Sarn Helen finisher in 6th place overall in 39:58, while youngster Aled Sion Jones was 7th in 40:16. Eilir Evans also made the top 10 in 42:18, while Steffan Thomas is clocking ever-improving times and finished in 43:28.
Tregaron local Mick Taylor finished in 44:29, placing him in the top three in his age class, as did new member Roger Mence in 57:29.