Ras y Moelwyn - 3 peaks 3 jelly babies
Ras y Moelwyn (the Moelwyn Race) is an arduous fell run from Blaenau Ffestiniog over the three peaks of Moelwyn Mawr, Moelwyn Bach and Moel yr Hydd. Ten and a half miles and 2,800 feet of altitude gain.
I’d always aspired to do a fell run but to do one on my doorstep was especially appealing. The term ‘fell running’ sounds a bit too much like the Yorkshire Dales, ‘ras y mynydd’ or ‘mountain racing’ seems more appropriate.
At registration I can see this is going to be no leisurely stroll. My goal is to complete the course but the atmosphere is competitive albeit friendly. My plastic water bottle looks out of place with the purpose built bum bags and knapsacks. One of the experienced runners tells me to leave it behind, it’s best to drink heavily before the race and not to forget to go to the loo. I’m also advised to strip down to my shorts but long trousers are all I’ve got.
As the starting time approached there was much running up and down the field, they must have overdosed on high-energy food. People exchanging comments about recent runs from distant parts of the country. About 120 of us gathered around the starting funnel. There was no starting gun, no ‘ready steady go’, just a nod from the official and without any elbowing the party rolled into action, some a bit faster than others.
I was hardly in pole position at the start and set off with a conservative (as in conserving energy) stride. It was great to catch up with the rest as we bunched up to squeeze through narrow gates and stiles. But pretty soon it was open countryside and the real talent was rushing to the horizon.
That’s nothing to worry about, I’m not thinking about the end but the moment. This is an exercise in free will, I’ll run to the next rock and then make a decision whether to go on. In bite size chunks the prospect of what lies ahead is not so awesome.