The ‘Red Kite Challenge’ is the first race of a weekend ‘Festival of Running and Walking’ in the Nant yr Arian / Devils Bridge area. Now, in its sixth year.
The Saturday race was 11 plus miles of trail and took us deep into and up through the southern foothills of the Plynlimon mountain range. Being a ‘UK Trail Championship race’ (Short course), it has been designed to test or should that be sap the strength of each competitor in a variety of ways. Briefly looking at the course map displayed beforehand gave forewarning of this, with words like ‘Death Valley’ and beyond the lake of ‘Rack and Ruin’. So, quite a demanding, rollercoaster experience was had by all but, the stunning vast scenery made it all very worthwhile. The race was very well organised and well marshalled and one day, I may even attempt to follow it with the 18 mile race held on the Sunday (The Devil’s Race).
Winners:
Men: Tim Davies, Maldwyn Harriers 1:10:55 (new course record), Afan Humphries, Swansea Harriers 1:11:40, Peter Ryder, Cardiff AAC 1:12:15.
Women: Jo Meek, Tavistock 1:23:11. Phoebie Webster, Aberystwyth A.C. 1:24:36, Anna Bartlett, Shrewsbury A.C. 1:25:45 (1st V40).
Two Croft members wandered west for the Red Kite Challenge: Mark Paviour 1:33:33, Sue Davies 1:37:12 (4th lady, 1st FV45)
Also spotted from our League: Tim Iveson, Builth & District 1:18:50 (8th place), Steve Herington 1:37:07 (1st MV60), Andy Westlake, Presteigne 1:43:21 and Cath Edwards, Presteigne 2:09:09.