Records smashed in heat at Holyhead Mountain Race

Matthew Fortes of Eryri Harriers was third overall. Pic: Steve Jeffrey

A succession of course records were smashed despite the hot conditions at last Saturday’s challenging Holyhead Mountain Race (Ras Mynydd Caergybi).

Some 37 hardy and experienced fell runners from across the UK took part in this gruelling event which included plenty of hills and coastal paths over a near seven-mile route.

Matthew Roberts from Calder Vale Running Club claimed a new course record in 47 mins 49 secs as the overall winner of the event, whilst Nia Albison from Eryri Harriers took the women’s prize in 13th spot in (1.03.19).

Eryri’s Michael Coyne was fifth. Pic: Steve Jeffrey

It was a particularly good day for the local Harriers who had three runners in the top-ten placings with Matthew Fortes 3rd (54.59), Michael Coyne 5th (56.33) and Craig Jones 6th (58.00).

Three club members also recorded course records and won their respective age categories. Mathew Fortes added to his 3rd place as 1st VM40 winner, with Arwel Lewis 12th, claiming the VM60 title (1.3.14), and Ellie Salisbury winning the VF50 prize (1.22.16).

Becki Law of Eryri landed the FU40 title. Pic: Steve Jeffrey

Other category winners included: Max Dunford from St David’s College, who took the MU23 prize (54.40), VM50: Ed Harmer in 16th place from Eryri Harriers, who won the VM50 award in (1.04.16), and clubmate Becki Law in 19th place scooped the FU40 title in (1.05.43).

Promising and unattached local runner Ryan Roberts finished 4th in (55.21), and other local athletes included Andy Jones from GOG Triathlon, who finished 8th (1.01.50), Peter Jones from Cybi in 9th place (1.02.40), and Leon Davies from NWRRC, who was 20th in (1.05.40).