nestling under the backdrop of the highest Beacons peaks. A simple format of a bi-weekly 3mile
then 4mile then finally a 5mile race is not so simple in execution.
A massive entry of around 200 no doubt helps the Brecon AC coffers for another year. Not to be
outdone the Hotfooters contributed with a small, but select group of hand-picked athletes to
represent Hay-on-Wye. The ladies contributed an outstanding turn-out as there were 3 times as
many of them as the men. Yes, there were 3 of them, with me standing up for the males!
However, our team did include Beth who is a reigning age group champion in this event and all eyes
were on her to wave the Hotfooters flag. She was ably assisted by Sally W who has spent years
dabbling in the tarmac around Dursley so big things were expected. Completing the trio was Dilek,
one of our long distance stalwarts who was flying somewhat under the radar not even entering as a
Hotfooter!
Kicking off with the 3mile – always slightly confusing for a km man as this would be just under the
typical 5km Parkrun distance so we were expecting a hectic pace. We were even further down on
numbers on this event as Sally was still in intensive training (or cooking in The Harp) and Dilek turned
up pared for action even leaving behind her Garmin watch to save weight! I had to tag her with my
Strava because as we all know if it’s not on Strava then it didn’t happen.
Stand-out performance of the evening was delivered by Beth winning her age group and taking a
hand crafted porcelain trophy (yes a mug!) back home.
Next event was the 4mile (such a strange distance so nothing much to draw on) and Brecon had
organised some Beacons type weather with rain and wind and cold. However, not enough weather
to deter Sally who now joined the trio and we were at full strength. Unlike cycling there is really
nowhere to hide from the wind when running so we just had to grit our teeth and bear it. Again
Beth was inspired as she knew she would be getting a mug at the end of the evening ready to fill
with a hot drink – much needed after the cold and all of us Hotfooters made it home.
Everyone was looking forward to the 5mile on a humid and windy evening – especially the closing
climb up towards Cantreff – a lovely way to finish. Again the Hotfooters put in a strong performance
with Beth taking her age category win again (a truly dominant performance with nearly 10mins over
her nearest pursuer across the series). Congrats Beth! Dilek was unlucky to be just off the series
podium in 4th and Sally could not claim a series position due to missing the 1st round but the
experience should put her in good stead for next year.
I managed to plod round to claim 7th V60 in the series which was well supported with 27 entrants
when combining the male and females.
Again a wonderful atmosphere across the 3 rounds – try and add it to your schedule next spring!
Kevin