Time/Position: 37.27 (17th from 105 [1st V50])
This must be one of the most remarkable races on the calendar. I'd never done it before but had heard tales about the vertical heather and the need for gloves to pull up through the prickles. The statistics tell the story: it is very short, not even close to a 5k, but with well over 1600ft of climbing packed in. The first climb, from Graiglwyd above Penmaenmawr, was familiar and is a standard hard fell race start: a long upward haul up the side of the beautiful valley directly above the village. The conditions and views were stunning: extraordinary clarity of light, the Orme shimmering above a velvet sea. So far, so normal. Then, at the top of the climb, a steepish but still standard descent back down towards the valley further east. Then, a sharp turn and a ludicrously steep climb out of a river gully: this must be one of the steepest climbs on any fell race, hands necessary throughout. At the top, another sharp descent to the east, and then another very steep climb, albeit not quite as steep as the second. After a short easing, a further climb leads up Craig Hafodwen, or its neighbour, before a short heathery section leads towards Moelfre before descending the Graiglwyd path. This is a superb exhilarating climax (a classic descent, which I'd done before) and I managed to hold off those around me to sneak an age category win.
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