BLUE skies greeted the 500 runners for the 36th staging of the Rhayader Round the Lakes Road Races last weekend.

The runners were set off by deputy Rhayader mayor Dai Davies and the favourable conditions resulted in some incredible performances.

Last year’s 30k winner Martin Williams (Tipton Harriers) took six minutes off his 2021 time, but even that was no match for the mercurial Daniel Connelly (Telford Athletic Club) who won the race in 1hr 43mins. (that’s under 3.5 mins per kilometre). Previous winner of the 20-mile race on a number of occasions and the inaugural 30k champion Ian Williams (Tipton Harriers) came home in a time of 1hr 55m.

In the female section, 2021 winner Louise Collins (Stourbridge RC) improved her time by over five minutes but had to settle for second this year, as local runner Ffion Price, from Abbeycwmhir, and representing Maldwyn Harriers, recorded a winning time of 2hr 8m. Third place went to Kate Telford (CLC Striders) in a time of 2hrs 15m.

The 10k race had a full entry of 200 runners, with winner Jacob Tasker (Ogmore Pheonix) recording a time of 35minutes 02seconds. Second was Tom Hughes (Shrewsbury AC) in a time of 37m 05s and 3rd male was Ben Skinner (Hereford Couriers RC) in 39m 53s. The female category saw last year’s runner-up Amie Williams (Tipton Harriers) smashing five minutes off her time to finish in 39m 09s and take the top step on the podium. Runner-up was Joanna Eddy (Hereford Couriers RC) in 42m 33s and 3rd place went to Caryl Wyn Davies in 43m 42s.

The organising committee would like to stress that this popular event would not be possible without the help of over 50 local volunteers, who marshal, serve at water stops and direct traffic in various weather. They would also like to thank the various support groups, including St John’s Ambulance, K&S Toilets, N Ceredigion Raynet, Rhayader Rugby Club, Rhayader Football Club, Split Second Timing, Sports Pictures Cymru, Andrew Bufton PA systems, Sian Marie sports massage and Annie’s Mobile Catering.