Great Orme Hill Race

Tuesday 26th May – Llandudno

With tired legs from racing at the weekend six Buckley Runners made the worthwhile trip to the Great Orme to take part in another race – this one set in a the tranquil surrounds of the ski centre.

As yet not a single race location has disappointed; and the Great Orme continued the trend. The calm weather – sunny but cool – offered views with breathtaking clarity of Snowdonina and the surrounding coastline. This visual balm easily distracted from weary limbs and made for an enjoyable warm-up.

At around 7:15 the race was started near the base of the Orme and a quick blast up the road to the ski centre followed by a series of steps brought runners within reach of the undulating plateau of the Orme summit. The route was mainly a grassy ascent then to the 207m high point which was quickly followed by a skirt around the country park; this being an unusually flat section that caught a few runners by surprise (well me anyway).

A terrain then fell away abruptly offering one of the only technical sections of the course though it did remain grassy rather than rocky. Almost at sea level now a short road followed by a series of climbs along a well trod path through short heather. Each rise seemed sharper than the last until the summit trig point was reached again. All that remained then was a trek back to the finish residing on the level ground above the ski centre.

Back in the warmth of the lodge afterwards for the prizing giving offered the familiar story; both Steve and John winning their age categories and the rest of us just clapping lots whilst juggling drinks and chips. It should be noted however that Steve took over a minute of the V50 record; a staggering amount given his efforts over the weekend.