RAS MOEL Y CI.

RAS MOEL Y CI.

The summit of Moel y Ci is only a few minutes away from my house, but as my son Rhys was running and the road was closed, it meant a bit of a detour.

The registration was at the Moel y Ci Environmental Centre, so we arrived after 11am and set up some flags and drop Rhys off.

Off to Moel y Ci in plenty of time and we walked up the path, which leads to the summit. Wendy was to take the pictures half way up, with Elidir Fawr covered in snow in the background. I carried on to the top and into the cloud.

There was still a few minutes until the runners arrived and the clouds disappeared revealing the splendour of the Glyderau and the Carneddau with their peaks covered in snow. Just before Mathew Roberts appeared on the horizon, the clouds came down and again, I could see nothing. Mr Roberts seemed to be flying as he passed me on the summit as the clouds lifted again, effortlessly making his way along the muddy path and ankle breaking rocks strewn everywhere.

There seemed to be a record number of runners in the race this year, with all runners taking about 20 minutes to pass me. 167 runners in total. The results to be found here.

1st Lady - Katie Beecher

Rhys Cross

All pictures can be seen here.

Nick Beer 10K

Nick Beer 10K

It's my birthday today, but the Nick beer 10K is on at the Great Orme in Llandudno. So, it's off to Bangor to fetch Simon Murray, an excellent photographer and athlete, who helps me often to cover these events.
We travel to Llandudno to set up my banners at the finish. We catch up with Andy Jones, member of the North Wales Road Running Club who, along with members of his club, organise the race. Simon head off along the prom and Wendy and myself go up the Orme in the T5. We always have to stop at the toll house, where we speak to toll man and wangle a free entry to The Orme! We arrive in plenty time, so set up the Jet Boil to make some tea before the race.
Soon enough, 12pm arrives and we only have a few minutes to wait for the runners to arrive. Wendy heads off to the 4.5kM mark, while I stay at 3.5kM.

Hundereds of runners start to pass me, it's impossible to get a picture of all the runners, but between us all, I'm sure we manage to get everyone. I know quite a few people by now, or perhaps they know me! A lot wish me a happy birthday as they pass me on the hill. Soon, it's time to go. No van to take me, so I have to walk up the hill and join my wife. I did think of asking the sweeper for a lift, but I though t I'd arrive sooner if I walked, which in the end, I nearly do!

Simon, after taking photographs of all the runners at the 2kM mark, runs down to get them 9kM, what a hero!

After the race, it's time to process the pictures. In my case 1,600, with more to come from Simon when he finishes his pictures. It's not all about turning up and taking photographs, there is a lot of work to do after as well.

Next race is Moel y Ci on the 14th February, see you there.

Todays pictures can be seen at here.

New SportpicturesCymru Headwear

New SportpicturesCymru Headwear.

The SportpicturesCymru headwear has arrived!

Anglesey Coastal Path - Moelfre to Pentraeth.

Anglesey Coastal Path - Moelfre - Pentraeth.

We've been walking and running the Anglesey Coastal Path for over the last year. Today, it was the 10th leg, Moelfre to Pentraeth. This one is shorter than the usual 13 miler, at only 6 miles it's easily runable. That doesn't make it easy though. Where else could you find such a diverse mix of terrain? Road, trail, mud, shingle beaches, sandy beaches and even rivers!

Detail of the Anglesey Coastal Path can be found here.

We have two legs to go, if we run it, we'll have to see. Pentraeth to Beaumaris, maybe split into two, and Beaumaris to Moel y Don to finish off the Island.

After finishing Anglesey, the plan is to start the Wales Costal Path, starting from the border with England and working our way around.