When Flora and I arrived at Middletown, on the Welsh border, the temperature was still 28 degrees, at 7pm. And staring up at Middletown Hill was not exactly having a calming effect! More surprise then to find that Tim J was already there, before us, with Oliver, watching brother Owen finish his junior fell race (he is listed as 1st U17, since that is his FRA category, but he competed as a junior).
The race started in a steep field, steep enough to sort out the 73 runners before the gateway and narrow path through bracken and bramble. Not being able to run up the steep field I found myself right at the back of the single file climbing up to the summit. The terrain soon became more open and overtaking was possible, then it was a scramble down the other side on a slippery narrow path – slippery because slightly damp but also because of cut grass and bracken, and the gradient. Then it was straight back up again winding through small trees, and a small downhill section (where sweat in my eyes made spotting roots and rocks a bit difficult) before another, arduous climb up to the summit to complete the 440m of ascent, and a steep descent to the start/finish field. As I entered the field, with 300m to go, I heard bystanders urging on a runner just behind me which obliged me to sprint for the line, not the ideal end to a fell race for me!
The race was won by James Stuart in 25.39 Tim was 41st in 38.51 Flora was 50th in 41.38 Oliver was 52nd (1st U17 in the senior race) in 43.04 Guy was 53rd (1st over 65) in 44.14
In the junior races: Taite was 3rd in the U11 race Owen was 1st U17 Saffi was 1st U13
