Brecon Fans Races

 

Pen y Fan Results 2018

Results and summit splits for the men's race are now available here

Results and summit splits for the ladies' race are now available here

Photos are available here

Report

12 noon Sunday 8th July 2018.

It was hot, and the ground was rock hard. I was sweating buckets just putting the tent up. But a cooling breeze persisted throughout the day, taking the edge off things.

As usual the junior runners set off with the main field, and Felix Vaudin turned at the boulder first with a lead of about 50 metres. But Robin Flower ran a storming descent to set a new course record by 4 seconds, finishing in 7:29. Robin has one more year as a junior, so perhaps we could see this mark bettered again. The girls' race was won by Mindy Vaudin in 8:49.

Mark Hopkinson of Mynydd Du led from the line. We could see him building a lead of about 100m up the steep skyline to Corn Du.

Helen Brown of Mynydd Du won the ladies race for a remarkable ninth time in 45:16, ahead of Helen Marshall and Niki Morgan.

The men's team prize was won by Mynydd Du's Mark Hopkinson, Tom Mollekin and Steve Hepton. Mynydd Du also won the ladies team prize, with Helen Brown, Niki Morgan and Rhian Probert. Great to see a clean sweep of prizes over both days for the home team.

There were no incidents or casualties, just lots of very thirsty runners at the finish - the huge quantities of water, squash, cake and beer seemed to vanish even faster than usual.

The champagne prizes for best performance over the weekend's two races went to Helen Marshall, who came 2nd in both races, and Tom Mollekin (7th and 5th).

The usual big thanks marshals and helpers: Lynn Russell and Tony Law at the summit, Mike Law on Corn Du, Sally Law on registration, Andy the Gate, Emma Bayliss at the stile and on the finish, Helen Flower & Sally and Naomi for home-baking, and Robin Flower for timing.

Thanks also to race sponsors Pete Bland Sports, whose contributions numbers and prizes were appreciated as always.

Crispin and Naomi

Senior prize winners

Category Prize Name Club Time
1st Man Mark Hopkinson Mynydd Du 00:37:49
1st Lady Helen Brown Mynydd Du 00:45:39
2nd Man David Lawson MDC 00:40:56
2nd Lady Helen Marshall (also won series prize) Aberystwyth AC 00:47:27
3rd Man Kieran White Hercules Wimbledon AC 00:41:33
3rd Lady Niki Morgan Mynydd Du 00:47:49
1st V40 Lady Rhian Probert Mynydd Du 00:47:52
1st V40 Man Daniel Hooper Sarn Helen 00:43:03
1st V50 Lady Wendy Sharpe-Nash Chepstow Harriers 01:11:50
1st V50 Man Paul Targett Holcombe Harriers 00:44:02
1st V60 Man Anthony Kay Thames Hare and Hounds 00:53:48
1st V60 Lady - -    
1st V70 Man Geoff Ballard Unattached 01:14:20
1st V70 Lady - -    
1st V80 Man - -    
1st V80 Lady - -    
Fastest M ascent Mark Hopkinson Mynydd Du 00:27:52
Fastest F ascent Helen Marshall Aberystwyth AC 00:31:19
Fastest M descent Mark Hopkinson Mynydd Du 00:09:57
Fastest F descent Helen Brown Mynydd Du 00:11:18
M team Mark Hopkinson, Thomas Mollekin, Steven Hepton Mynydd Du 02:08:21
F team Helen Brown, Niki Morgan, Rhian Probert Mynydd Du 02:21:20

Junior results

Position Name Cat Age Club/School Time
1 Robin Flower M 14 Brecon High School 07:29
2 Felix Vaudin M 15 Chippenham 07.45
3 Reuben Lawson M 12 Chepstow Harriers 08.34
4 Mindy Vaudin F 13 Chippenham 08.49
5 Seth Lawson M 9 Chepstow Harriers 11.25
https://www.breconfans.org.uk/pen-y-fan-results-2018