North Berwyn loop

Peaks: Moel Fferna
Area: Berwyn, Eryri
It seemed obvious that a full lockdown was imminent, so this was another run with a poignant, elegiac quality. I didn't want to drive far, so parked outside Corwen and ran along the road and riverside paths to Cynwyd (familiar from recent runs like the Dee Valley/North Berwyn 30 mile combination). From Cynwyd, the very long climb up into the Berwyn begins immediately. A tough haul on steep tarmac initially until it levels off for the firetracks that lead to a conifer forest. The weather was beautiful, indeed the lockdown later coincided with perfect spring weather: my absolute favourite time of year in the Welsh mountains, the irony did not go unnoticed. Above the forest, the running is superb - my 4th time along this track to Moel Fferna. Nobody visible: indeed, I have never seen anybody on Moel Fferna. The perfect choice for this strange day. From the summit, I took in the views to Aran and Eglwyseg in crystal clarity before pelting all the way down to Llidiart y Parc in 18 minutes. I was rather tired for the final leg along the quiet lanes that lead from the Grouse back to Corwen; these undulate continually.

Carneddau-Capel circuit

Peaks: Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewellyn, Pen yr Helgi Du, Pen Llithrig y Wrach
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
A grand old circuit, which I first did a shorter version of aged 18 in perfect conditions at the same time of year. That was March 1989, if I remember correctly, a day of crisp snow and spring sunshine. Today, by contrast, the outing had a elegiac quality with lockdown approaching. I got to the top of Pen (a mixture of jogging and walking) in less than 45 minutes but then slowed considerably across the main ridge in a stiff and very cold headwind. The clag was down but lifted very briefly when I crossed Dafydd to the top of the Black Ladders. Some snow on Llewellyn, and a ferocious windchill which made life pretty uncomfortable. Dropping down towards Llugwy got me out of it quite quickly, however, and I made good progress down towards Bwlch y Tri Marchog. Conditions were much better now, with clouds clearing and the sun starting to peek through: much warmer. I scampered up the scrambly ridge to Helgi Du then enjoyed the superb running across to Llithrig. From here, I took the now familiar Paddy descent, very long and very boggy, down to the A5 and Capel Curig - running back along the old Miner's road through Ogwen. By now, the weather was wonderful. This is normally my favourite time of year to be in the Welsh mountains, with crystal clarity and a hint of warmth in the sun promising better days to come. This year, not so much.

Ras yr Aran

Race: Ras yr Aran fell race (16.2km/3100ft)
Time/Position: 1.58.41 (158th from 312)
I have always argued that this is a unique race, so early in the year yet climbing to such a remote highpoint. I have done it 6 or 7 times, but I think this is only the second time I've touched the actual trig point on Fawddwy (although I've been up the hill a lot on normal runs and walks). It was a British Championship race this year, with all that implies in terms of quality of field, from every (hilly) corner of the country: and it also seemed likely to mark the end of racing for a while, with covid-19 approaching. So the atmosphere was a little unusual as we set off from Llanuwchllyn to start that massive, but familiar climb. I felt sluggish throughout, only really perking up as we gained the ridge at the tiny pools below Aran Benllyn. The weather on the ridge was about average - misty and cold, fairly strong winds. The final summit cone is a tricky scramble in running shoes, always damp and slippery, it adds a considerable amount of time. After this, I descended averagely back to the village. Eight minutes down on my best time for the course, although that was a decade ago.

Chester-Moel Famau-Loggerheads

A refinement of a route done in January last year, when I ran from my office door in the University to the top of Moel Famau, then down to the Collie. This time, Peter and I left the Crown Court in bright and breezy weather, the summit disconcertingly distant on the horizon. We took the Roodee path, which makes it a few minutes longer but is more pleasant. From here, we ran together to the Old Warren climb, then met up again in Buckley. Eventually, however, I went too far ahead and we lost each other before Mold, which was a shame. I took the same route as last January, which seems logical as the quickest way to the summit - which I reached in a respectable 2.38 from the Crown Court. It was misty and cool, and I jogged down to meet Peter for a pint at the Loggerheads pub. In retrospect, it would be neater to start with a hand on the Chester Cross and finish with a hand on the trig point (32.47km in total).

Long Mynd Valleys fell race

Race: Long Mynd Valleys (18.5km/1370m)
Time/Position: 2.08.08 (23rd from 101)
Back at LMV for the first time since 2009: an inexplicably long gap for what is a classic fell race. I have vivid memories of following a trail of blood through the snow on the brutal second half of the race 11 years ago. Today, no such drama, although it was a small field - as it had been cancelled on its original date due to Storm Ciara. It was fairly cold, with the odd light snow shower today, but nothing comparable to the frozen feet and hard-packed snow of 2009. The race begins with a climb up the rocky ridge rising from Carding Mill, then embarks on its fairly easy first half. With a lot of mud underfoot after recent downpours, the term is relative of course. But there is a lot of contouring running with grand panoramas, until it heads back south and takes its direct line back to Carding Mill - dipping up and down all those beautiful valleys like Ashes Hollow. Wonderful views and perfect weather at times - blue sky with the occasional shower. The descents are very steep in places and there is virtually no level running in the second half, it is all either violent descents or brutal climbs. The hardest of all is the last one, up the steepest and longest side of Yearlet. I have done this hill from all angles, and it is remarkably steep given its Shropshire location. I ended up a tad quicker than 11 years ago, three minutes or so, although conditions were a little kinder.