Tavern Trial fell race

Race: Tavern Trial fell race (9m/2000ft)
Peaks: Pen y Cloddiau, Moel y Parc, Pen y Cloddiau
Time/Position: 1:24:17 (4th from 40)
A cracking new (or revived) event yesterday, and a much-needed longer race over this part of the Clwydians. Started in hot, humid weather from Llandyrnog, over a series of fields to gain a track leading to the Moel Arthur car park. But the race soon cut left up very steep bracken and scree to gain the main OD path up Pen y Cloddiau. I was feeling relatively comfortable in about 7th place, which I held for the long descent from Pen to Aifft. A windless, hot climb back up to Moel y Parc was the crux of the race. Hard going, but felt OK, so gained a couple more places and managed to keep it going back over Pen y Cloddiau summit and down to Llandyrnog: the race well spread out by this point and the route-finding occasionally tricky. Neil well out in front. Cut my legs to shreds in the brambles but they had stopped bleeding by the time we got to the pub! My highest ever finish: 4th from a field of 40. Ran most of the way up Famau on Friday night, will do short recovery today.