British fell race relays

Race: British fell race relay championship
Area: Llangynhafal (Moel Famau, Moel y Gaer)
Time/Position: 1:25:01, leg 2 (46/119)
A really enjoyable first for me last Sunday, as the British fell race relay championships came to the Clwydians. Buckley got a team together for this cracking event, really well organised with a great atmosphere (130-odd teams of 6 runners). I ran with Jez on the second, longest leg. Genuinely exciting as we waited with the other teams at the start above Llangynhafal, watching for team-mate Dave to crest the ridge at the end of the first leg and hand over the 'baton'. Our leg was about 9 miles, 2800ft of climbing, really making the most of the range. Went quite well, with a long climb onto the ridge, then descent down to the reservoir above Cilcain, then another long climb back SW to the bridleway and up to the top of Moel Famau. Great running down the fence line, then the 'hot foot up famau' route. Steep, muddy descent which suited me well, followed by the desperate climb up Moel y Gaer. Then another climb before a terrific eyeballs-out descent down to Nant y Ne, then contouring round to the final climb and exhilarating finish. We finished 46th on our leg, gaining 17 places, in 1:25. Clearly, a very strong field, with the elite of British fell running present. Worked quite well as a pair, Jez slowing down for me on the climbs, while I was able to make up some ground on the steeper descents. Great to be part of a team event like this: we managed a respectable 51st place overall (4:31 cumulative time) after the four legs.