ON WHAT WAS the hottest day of the year, (Saturday, July 17), four Denbigh Harriers took on the challenge of the 50th Welsh 1000s fell race.

The event starts on the coastal side of the A55 near Abergwyngregyn and finishes on the summit of Snowdon after climbing the 5 of the 1000 meter peaks of Snowdonia.

In the heat there were 66 runners (around 25%) who had to retire with heat exhaustion, cramp or injury.

But, all the Harriers successfully ran the same distance of over 20 miles. With the race finishing on Snowdon the runners then had to run or walk back 4.5 miles to Llanberis to collect their commemorative T shirts and find their cars.

In the Long Fell Race Brett Jones finished 53rd in 06:24:21 followed in 99th by David Baugh in 07:16:41 and Peter Lester-owen 136th in 08:26:10. In the Long Challenge Race which started earlier in the day David Jones was 12th in 08:40:37.

Two Harriers also ran in the 2021 ALDI Chester 10k on Sunday, July 18.

Joseph Welch had an early start being in the 7.45am wave of runners. Shaun Hughes set off in the 10am wave start time and was the first runner through to the finish line. Both finished in impressive times with Shaun Hughes being the first Harrier home in 00:36:35, and Joseph Welch following in 00:40:04.

Seven Harriers also ran in the 2021 Nick Beer 10k on that Sunday.

Starting and finishing on Llandudno promenade, opposite the Imperial Hotel, this was the 29th annual run to help commemorate the life of a well-known former local athlete, Nick Beer.

Owen Conroy was first Harrier home in 00:46:08; Bob Neale was next with a time of 00:57:02, closely followed by Kate Wilson in 00:57:03; Ian Jones, Julie Roberts and Helen Davies were not far behind finishing in 01:00:01, 01:01:27, and 01:08:08 respectively, with Jessica Jones being the final Harrier home in 01:22:53.