Green Green Grass of Home

Race Report by Jez Brown

Wednesday 22nd July – Green Green Grass of Home

There was a strong showing from Buckley Runners in this early evening race which goes up, down and around the Clwydian Hills, from the Llangynhafal side of the Clwydian range, approximately 6 miles.

The race is so called due to the start being next to the home of the previous organiser of the race ; a short walk across fields and up a country road from the welcoming Golden Lion.

79 runners entered, one failed to start when he or she realised how hilly it was!

This year’s course was different from previous years, and in my opinion a far better course, leading up a stony path towards the ridge, before turning left, and down a grassy field. This was a great descent with runners flying at speed down here. The route then took a narrow but runnable path back up to a more prominent path, and from here a short climb back on to the Offa’s Dyke ridge path.  Along the Offa’s Dyke for a short distance until we turned off down the track towards Cilcain, then immediately right along a bridleway / mountain bike track towards the summit of Moel Famau.

We didn’t climb up to the summit, though this has been part of previous routes, instead we ran back along the Offa’s Dyke for a while before plunging straight down a valley back on to the stony path where we started a few miles ago, then a dash to the finish.

All of the runs round / over the Clwydians are tough, so it was a strong performance from all who ran, and some good results and category prizes for the Buckley runners.

It was great to see a few runners back from injuries and time out from running – Hayley Evans and Fenella Higgins, who both had good runs.

• Jez – 2^nd – 40.05
• Simon R – 6^th 43.10
• Andy P – 8^th – 44.08
• Paul Stinton – 22^nd – 47.21
• Hayley Evans – 36^th – 2^nd female – 54.22
• John Morris – 49^th – 1^st v 70 – 56.54
• Fenella Higgins – 67^th – 65.59

Go Andy !