Kings & Queens of the Mountains

A massive 37 'Harriers & Friends' crowd on our campsite this year - plus more on the camp-Weston' site for this annual classic and real toughie!

In wet, sticky & breezy conditions, Darren Weston led the Harriers home in the main event, overhauling PG in the 9th mile and wrestling the Harriers red polka-dot 'King of The Mountains' vest off the Club Captain. In a field of over 1,100 entries Darren finished a fine 48th in 1 hour 36 mins 44 secs. PG next in 69th/1:38:31 then Club Chairman Andy Buck finally lost the Tywyn 'Albatross' hanging around his neck and beat the train in a fine 1:44:17/131st - improving with age like a fine vintage??? ;O).

It was great to see Eddie Myatt back racing too and on his comeback from injury he didn't disappoint and ran an involuntary stormer - will we soon be seeing Eddie back in the league scoring men's team??. For those that don't know, Eddie suddenly noticed at 2 pm (just 5 mins before the circa 1000 entry were due to start) that he wasn't wearing a white chip on his ankle like the other competitors. A mad near-half mile dash (each way) back to/from the campsite and his tent ensued before Eddie rejoined at the back of the assembled runners, ploughing through the field once the race was underway to be the 4th & final Harrier to beat the train in a fine 1:45:16. The TRAIN next then in 1:47:48! before Dean Kelleher 304th/1:57:07.

Dave Kind finished 380th/2:00:52 then for reasons unknown to us all (mid-life crisis??) Darren Wilson had a meltdown and decided to run the course in full Darth Vader attire (Helmet, Black Cape and 'evil' red lightsabre) - it is believed this may have slowed him down by a good 10 seconds or so as he finished 411th in 2:02:04. Craig Johnson 441st/2:03:58 then Kate Reeves was our first lady home in 641st place/2:18:34. Trev Hope 723rd/2:24:42, Aaron Bird 814th/2:38:04 & Caroline Scrimshaw 2:40:27 completed the recorded Harriers times. Dianne Myatt did an Eddie but ran chipless and finished shortly after. She has the T-shirt/medal and photos to prove it but no official time so can't report here. There were 918 finishers in the main 14 mile race.

In the earlier 10K Quarry Challenge event, Mia Weston led us home a fine 6th lady overall/overall 64th but 3rd in category age position in 53 mins 40 secs - and beating the train! Rachael Sellars & Nicola Harrison finished 244th/245th in 1:15:33. There were 279 finishers.

All in all a splendid time was had by all with the usual BBQ, booze, crabbing, ice cream parlour featuring prominently and a new Tywyn Test Match being introduced to wide acclaim! Bring on next year's event (18/8/2012)!