Time/Position: 25.06 (6th from 53 [1st Vet])
A pleasant surprise to finish first V50 in my last ever race in the category - and also, even more surprisingly, the first veteran overall. About 40 or 50 seconds slower than the last time I did this race seven years ago. But it was definitely a tad longer this year, finishing at least 200m beyond the Barley Mow pub, so I think the times are more or less identical, which is pleasing a few days before my 55th birthday. Footwear was a dilemma: I didn't really fancy fell shoes on a route that I remembered containing a lot of road and tracks, as well as the open hill. On the other hand it was raining heavily at the start and I glanced down at my ancient Nike's with a pang of regret. On balance, it was the right choice though and I felt very good on the initial road section from the start next to the Trefonen village shop (which I have fond memories of, as I rehydrated here with a desperate thirst during my 2021 Offa's Dyke completion). The lane gives way to a track which becomes quite steep, and this bit was slippery in my road shoes. It then levels and contours round the back of Mynydd Myfyr before heading up a narrow grassy path to the top. Across the Cynllaith (the longer hillwalking/running event which takes place on the Saturday of the same Trefonen weekend) went up this from a different angle last year: an event I really enjoyed. I lost time on the descent, which was down wet tussocky fields, and I lost contact with the chap in 5th. But as soon as I got to the lanes I was able to open out again and really benefited from the road shoes with a fast finish. After this, Kate and I parked at the Old Racecourse and walked to Selattyn Hill and back: more fond memories of the Offa's Dyke year, exquisite borders scenery, quite wild to the west, pastoral and gentle to the east.
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