This was never going to be easy having spent the previous night and a number of the small hours of the morning drinking far too much Jack Daniels and partying with the Presteigne Pacers and Presteigne ladies hockey club.

The day dawned bright and sunny (the same could not be said about me though) so I felt a day of sunshine in the British summer should not be wasted and I should attempt the race. Croft was well represented by Tom, Catherine, Gary G and me. 76 people took part in the event and 11 youngsters took part in the shorter junior event. I went well until the second part of the ascent when Gary Gunner passed me as if I was stood still!

The winner completed it in 34mins 5secs

Gary was first M60 in 47mins 55secs

I completed in 50mins 41secs

Tom 1hr 0min 51secs

Catherine 1hr 12mins 5secs

Following the race there were soft drinks, sandwiches, cakes and a bottle of beer for all runners (chocolates for the juniors!). Not bad for £4 entry fee.

While checking results archive for Croft runners on the race website (www.penyfanrace.org.uk) I found that in 1990 Mick Ligema completed the event 3 seconds faster than this year’s winner- most impressive.

Definitely a race worth putting in the diary for next year.

Dave R