Brecon Fans Races

Pen y Fan Race 2008 Results

Click here for photos

Report

11.00am Saturday 19th July 2009

68 runners

Pen Y Fan is one of the classic short fell races, and the athmosphere on the start line is nearly as intense as the smell of sweaty vests and fear.

But this year couldn't we also hear a fiercely mumbled oath...? "Kaphar hunnu bhanda marnu ramro" - better to die than to live a coward (or miss the Pan Y Fan Race) - the motto of the Gurkha regiment, who had brought a team over from Brunei to do the Brecon Fans races and then Snowdon. It could the motto for all fell runners.

After a few showers, the weather lifted for the race, though the wind on the tops was ferocious. Will Horsley, down from Northumberland, led the climb with Charles Sykes, who's not run on the fells for years but is obviously a real talent. Mark Palmer hung in, suffering a bit from his 2nd place at Wasdale, with Martin Shaw for company. Martin got ahead near the summit, but found that running in front of Mark didn't suit him.

On the steep descent Will and Charles were powerless as Mark thundered past, Martin chasing but never quite joining the battle. It was a close race, and brought 4 runners home under 35 minutes.

Sharon Woods (NB number 51) showed she is coming back to fitness after slipped disk miseries, winning the ladies race in 51:51, in 51st place (say no more, she's freaked out already).

Mynydd Du took 1st and 4th places, so initially looked like lifting the team prize for the 3rd year running, but excellent packing from the Gurkhas won the day, with 8th, 9th and 13th places.

Naomi's Mum (Sally Law, 1st V60) was quite chuffed to beat their CO, but perhaps he had to bring up the rear for strategic reasons.

The records were safe and sound, and the prize fund on the men's record should rise to £300 for next year, £100 on the ladies'.

Unfortunately Ade found it too windy on the summit to take any split times, so we can't do the usual analysis of rankings on the ascent/descent.

Thanks to Andy Jones, Ade O, Steve Ellwood and Mike Law who marshalled up the hill and took photos, Tony Law who helped at the finish, and to everyone else who helped in any way. Thanks also to the sponsors who helped us provide great prizes (Cotswold, Barry Tomlinson, Breconshire Brewery) and free food for all (St. Mary’s Bakery).

Crispin and Naomi

Prize Winners

Full Results

Junior Race

We don't have full results from 2008, but in retrospect we think it went...

1. Joe Fell
2. Harri Keddle
3. Lois Flower
4. Other Fell brother
5. Helen Flower (DNF)