Pen y Fan Results 2016
Full results are on this page and photos can be seen here.
Report
12 noon Saturday 9th July 2016.
The forecast had been a bit miserable, but as Naomi and I tried to put the tent up at 9am in a gale and heavy rain we seriously wondered whether the race could go ahead. By 10am things had eased off to a steady light rain and gusting winds, with occasional brighter interludes, which remained the pattern for the day. We emphasized the important of full kit to all runners as they registered, and the car parking area was soon fuller than we'd ever seen it before.
90 runners started the course, plus 11 juniors. The junior race was very close with Thomas Timmons from the Isle of Wight just beating Lloyd Sheppard to the line in 08:21. In the senior race conditions were difficult and slow, with blustery winds and slippery ground. Rhys Goodhead was first to the summit, but Sam Bevan showed excellent descending skills to win overall, pulling away to lead by nearly a minute at the finish. Times overall were slow, and the records (and prize fund) remained safe; however there was one outstanding performance in the race - Gary Gunner smashed the previous record in the MV70 category by over 4 minutes, setting a new mark of 57:02. And he was running with a dislocated thumb.
Fell races often bring a few scrapes and sprains, but the conditions caused a few more tumbles than usual; so even though Pen y Fan is a relatively safe course, being mostly on soft grass and paths, a handful of runners needed treatment for gashes, turned ankles, and one dislocated shoulder - we hope all affected are recovering well and will soon be back for more.
The marshals had a hard day - we managed to capture summit times, but I'm afraid the photographers didn't stand much of a chance. Huge thanks to Mark Palmer, Mike and Andrew Law at the summits, Helen Flower and Tony Law at the stile, Sally Law for registration and cake making, and John Chidlow for timing.
A big thanks also to race sponsors Brecon Brewing and Pete Bland Sports, whose contributions of beer, numbers and prizes were appreciated as always.
Crispin and Naomi
Senior prize winners
| Category |
Name |
Club |
Time |
| 1st Open Male |
Samuel Bevan |
Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC |
37:55 |
| 2nd Open Male |
Rhys Goodhead |
Unattached |
38:46 |
| 3rd Open Male |
Evan Davies |
Unattached |
39:51 |
| 1st Open Female |
Helen Brown |
Mynydd Du |
46:39 |
| 2nd Open Female |
Niki Morgan |
Mynydd Du |
49:12 |
| 3rd Open Female |
Alice Bedwell |
MDC |
49:42 |
| 1st Male V40 |
Stewart Bellamy |
Mercia Fell Runners |
42:05 |
| 1st Male V50 |
Christian Poulton |
Cambridge Harriers |
41:27 |
| 1st Male V60 |
John Aggleton |
MDC |
48:58 |
| 1st Male V70 |
Gary Gunner |
Croft Ambrey |
57:02 |
| 1st Female V40 |
Anneliese Loveluck |
Unattached |
58:02 |
| 1st Female V50 |
Alice Bedwell |
MDC |
49:42 |
| 1st Female V60 |
-- |
|
|
| 1st Female V70 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| 1st Local |
Paul Tucker (Brecon) |
Brecon AC |
47:40 |
| Fastest to the summit |
Rhys Goodhead |
Unattached |
28:04 |
| Fastest descent |
Samuel Bevan |
Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC |
09:45 |
| M Team |
Samuel Bevan (1), Daniel Short (15), Mark Bevan (18) |
Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC |
|
| F Team |
Helen Brown (17), Niki Morgan (30), Lou Summers (52) |
Mynydd Du |
|
Junior results
| Position |
Name |
Cat |
Age |
Club/School |
Time |
| 1 |
Thomas Timmons |
M |
14 |
Isle of Wight AC |
08:21 |
| 2 |
Lloyd Sheppard |
M |
13 |
Endurance Massive |
08:22 |
| 3 |
Jimi Eldridge |
M |
14 |
Ryde Academy |
08:36 |
| 4 |
Harry Bell |
M |
13 |
Leighton Buzzard |
08:38 |
| 5 |
Ben Timmons |
M |
13 |
Isle of Wight AC |
08:38 |
| 6 |
Robin Flower |
M |
12 |
Brecon High School |
08:47 |
| 7 |
Kieran Morgan |
M |
10 |
FODAC |
09:32 |
| 8 |
Chloe Morgan |
F |
9 |
FODAC |
11:24 |
| 9 |
Malia Koski |
F |
10 |
Reddam House |
12:06 |
| 10 |
Thomas O'Toole |
M |
12 |
Bexley AC |
12:47 |
| 11 |
Ellie Morgan |
F |
8 |
FODAC |
16:48 |
A video from the stile