Ras Cnicht really is one of my favourite races.

Not much to report from this one – a pleasant drive through for Dad and I, under a sunny but hazy sky. 35 other people lined up at the start and we were soon off up a route which is becoming quite familiar now. I paced reasonably well up to the summit, then took two really great lines down. The first – from the summit to the top of the scrambly step – was more good luck than good judgement, but the second was a line someone pointed out a couple of years ago, and which I failed to find last year.

I had a cautious descent, since I hadn’t actually tightened up my new shoes as much as I thought, and then I didn’t quite have the legs to catch the chap in front of my as we hit the tarmac back into the village.

As I crested the hill and could see the finish clock, it became apparent that I wasn’t going to beat my fastest time from previous years. Frustratingly, and despite pushing as hard as I could anyway, I was about ten seconds too slow! No results yet, but I’ll update this post if I see any.

After the traditional post-race dip in the paddling pool we headed off to Betws to do some gear shopping. Top stuff.