Watching the Tryfan Downhill Dash

I had heard of the Tryfan Downhill Dash. Dave had run it, to the regret of his knee. It is exactly NOT my kind of race. Why would anyone in their right mind race down some 600m in only about one horizontal kilometre? But some people think that’s a nice challenge. 

One of the track runners mentioned it would be on this month. She was considering it. I said I would be happy to cheer her on. 

Then I got a message from Charlotte. She was going to spectate. Would I join? And I said yes! She had done it before. She picked me up, and drove to the parking lot from which you can see the runners descend. There still was space! And there were some Harriers: Mike who organises it, and Fliss who was considering running next year. And some other people. 

After a while, Charlotte saw the first runners. It took me a while to see them too. I had brought binoculars, but they’re not great, and it helps if you know where to look. 

Watching! Expected route (as far as visible from the road) indicated. 

It looked like the runners were not bombing down the slope in sheer contempt for death. Good! There was some falling over going on, but nothing that looked worrying. 

We could see someone in red and someone in blue for a while. And one in black. Two of them! It looked like Red would win. And he did! It turned out to be Michael, the organiser of the Conwy Mountain Fell Race I had marshalled. Blue was close behind. And then there black tops. Then there was a gap. 

Among the next two runners was the first female. I recognised her from the Tuesday series. And I thought I spotted an Eryri Harrier shirt on the hill. Two!

When they came closer I saw it was Brian, representing the 80+ category, and Hazel, in the 60+ category. And these happen to be husband and wife. Pretty cool to do a race like that at such ages! And Brian came last, but last with an all-time record in the 80+ category. I think he was the first person ever to run in that category…

The winner, Michael, about to finish

Presentation 

There were only nine runners in total, and it looked like none of them he got injured. Success! It had been nice to watch, in spite of the midges that had come out. Mike quickly did the presentation, and then we left. I could see me doing this again next year!