King John's Castle fell race

Race: King John's Castle (4.6m/865ft)
Time/Position: 41.44 (2nd from 30)
Beautiful late summer weather made Llanarmon yn Ial even more tranquil than usual this morning. For various reasons, I've never done this fine race before - although it takes in some of my favourite Clwydian paths. Lots of other events this weekend, so a small field left the Raven pub down the road to the little twmp, site of an ancient Welsh castle supposedly rebuilt in the twelfth century by English King John (hence the race title). Up and over this, then along fields, through thistles and up a very steep road towards the Gweryd Lakes. After a contouring road, it was straight up to the summit of Moel y Plas. Ian Houston was well out in front, with a Buckley trio of me, Simon E and Andy chasing. I felt I'd gone off a little too hard and was suffering in the heat of the climb, but just about held it together as Simon pulled away. From the top of Plas, the race heads south momentarily before wonderful running along the ridge to Moel Gyw and the familiar steep descent down the ridge back towards the village. I closed the gap gradually, and we were equally matched throughout this section, but thick vegetation meant we both missed the tape over the stream towards the finish. This meant a longer extension down a track to gain the road further north: we lost half a minute or so, although just about kept our places. From here, I managed to open up a very small gap on Simon during the fast half mile along the road to the finish at the pub. Wound down with the prize giving and some excellent soup in the sunshine.