Pentir Fun Run 2026

The race in Pentir is one of those I can just squeeze into my commute home. It is only 4.5 km, and I only have to make a 3.5 km detour on the bike to get to it.

This year, like last year, it was going to be a hot edition. Which I actually, in this case, prefer to the rain version we had two years ago. In a long race I travel to by car I would prefer the rain! But not here.

Race HQ

I got there and saw many friendly faces. And when I was parking my bike I was approached by Arwel. His business with me was twofold: firstly, he had a trophy for me. I had been the second fastest 45+ female (age at the start of the league counts) in the Borders League. Great! I had no idea. BL is very competitive. 

He also asked me if I could help him out that Sunday. He was organising the youth mountain running championships in y Fron again. Could I marshal? I could. 

I got my number, went to the loo, did a little warmup. I also introduced myself to a hiking friend of Neil’s that I knew would be running. And then I went to the start. 

The startline

In this race, it pays off to set off quite fast. There are many gates on the route! And if you end up in a queue you have to wait. So I wasn’t being conservative this time. 

I saw Emma, who won it last year, get ahead of me. and Llio, another Cybi who is faster than me on the short distance. And a while later, too young-looking ladies were coming past. I wondered if they might be setting off too fast. Maybe I could overtake them later on? 

We ran over the road, into the first field. By the time we reached the first gate I could check if my start had been good enough. It hadn't! I actually was in a little queue. That cost time. We did several more gates, and that spread the field out a bit, and then we got onto the terrain of Moel y Ci farm. No gates for a while!

Two things happened. One was that I realised that Louise was right behind me. The other was that one of the young ladies was in sight. I overtook her. The other ladies were so far ahead I never saw them.

I think Louise is absolutely lovely but I still wanted to finish before her! So I kept my speed up. And it must have been good enough because she didn't come past. I seemed to even increase the gap. These gates provide a good opportunity to have a look at what’s behind you. 

The last 500m. Spot the very vague Louise behind me.

A quick look at my watch revealed that I might or might not manage to beat my time of the year before. I tried to keep my speed up and then I finished. I was quite out of breath! And then I saw Louise finish.

We went to get a drink and a piece of cake. The cake is a Pentir fun run tradition. Louise's daughter, who had not run, was also welcome to participate. She appreciated that.

The cakes

After some general catching up in the finish area we went back to the village square where the results were displayed, and where the presentation would be. As I thought, I had come forth, behind Emma, Llio, and the young girl. And I had a category win! And surprisingly, I had run it in the exact same time as last year: 21:36. 

The young girl turned out to be running in the under 16s category. She is fast! She may very well be an elite runner in a few years.

I won a little bag with biscuits and sweets in. After last week’s Toblerone I was really stocking up on sugary foods! 

Presentation. Pic by Louise.

After the presentation everyone went home. And biking home was not onerous at all. Next week there wouldn't actually be a Wednesday evening race. Almost an exception at this time of year!