Brecon Fans Races

The first ever running of the Fan y Big y Pen y Fan y Big Race was a success, with really positive feedback from the 64 runners who made it to the finish, and no hard feelings from those who did not!

77 runners were undeterred by the forecast of relentless rain and low cloud, but sadly 38 pre-entered runners didn't show up at all.

20 slower runners were allowed an early start, 30 minutes before the main race - this was definitely a mixed blessing, popular with these runners, but making everything more complicated for marshals and RO. 

Conditions were pretty tough for runners and marshals, with poor visibility on higher ground, rain and blustery winds. Things did slightly improve as the day went on, and the sun was glimpsed by the time all runners were back and enjoying tea, cake and beer in the village hall.

Despite the 19 mile distance, the race was not too spread out, and very competitive at the sharp end with the leading positions changing hands several times. Gareth Williams led as far as Pen y Fan, to be overtaken on the descent by Peter Sammon who built up a gap of a couple of minutes by the time he reached Fan y Big for the second time. But Wilf Evans had a storming descent, catching up fast but running out of miles to finish 33 seconds behind. 

Many runners took unusual routes in the clag, and this led to some DNFs and a DQ. One runner didn't make the cut-off time at checkpoint 1, while four retired at checkpoint 6, the furthest point on the course at Nant Cwm Llwch car park.

The main route-choice decision was whether to re-ascend Pen y Fan by the usual race line, via Corn Du, or take the direct and near vertical route up the rough ground. A handful opted for the latter, including women's winner Katie Ironside. Looking at the split times, I think the longer route was a shade quicker, and probably less taxing on the legs, but apart from Katie I don't exactly know who took which option. Drop a comment below if you have any info!

As mentioned, Peter Sammon (Unattached) won the race in 3:19:11, just keeping ahead of a fast-descending Will Evans (CDF Runners). 3rd place went to Robin Woods from Builth & District RC. Joel Gomes ran a great race, having started half an hour after everyone else due to a calendar mix-up, pulling through to 7th overall in 3:34:05, and scoring points over Andy Davies in the Mercia Fell Runners championship race.

Katie Ironside (MDC) was a clear winner in the women's race, in 3:43:08, with Natalie Taylor (Brecon AC) second, just under the four-hour mark. Rose Lewis was awarded third place when we did the prize-giving, however this was a mistake - Rose was 3rd to the finish, but was an early starter... in fact Kani Hinshelwood's finish time of 04:26:52 was 3 minutes quicker than Rose's 04:29:56, so 3rd prize should have gone to Kani - apologies! (And if we ever do an early start again, anyone other than V70 who elect to start early will not be eligible for prizes).

Mynydd Du took the men's team prize with solid performances from Ian Whistance, Steve Hepton and Stephen Priestnall in 13th, 21st and 31st places.

There was no eligible women's team. Griffithstown Harriers had three runners in the race, but sadly two retired at Cribyn, checkpoint 3.

The verdict for this new race seemed hugely positive, and we'll certainly think about holding it again in future. But next year will be back to normal: Pen y Fan Race and Fan y Big Race on separate days.

Thanks as always to the marshals and helpers: Robin Flower & Mike Law on CP2, Pete Sowerby & Paul Colley-Davies on CP3, Lois Flower & Joe Callow on CP4 & 8, Adam Loverock & Stewart Bellamy on CP5 & 7, Robert Flower & Debbie Nicholson on CP6, Andrew and Tony Law on CP9, Cara Perfrement (sweeper), Sally Law & Helen Flower in the Village Hall, and to Dave Austin and Fabian 4 for timing and online entry.

Photos here. See full results on Racetek.

Summary results and prize winners