CONDITIONS were near perfect for the third running of the Trailhead Get Jerky 50k Devil’s Staircase Ultra Trail Race taking place around the Powys town of Llanwrtyd Wells on Saturday, October 5.

The ultra marathon route is a mammoth 31.5 miles that goes through the beautiful Abergwesyn Valley, taking in the iconic Devil’s Staircase, as well as Soar y Mynydd Chapel, the most remote in Wales, and the Llyn Brianne reservoir and dam. 

The race was won jointly by Pembrokeshire runners Ryan Wilkins and Shaun Newbery in 5 hours, 8 minutes and 26 seconds. The third male was Steven Palmer, who finished in 5h 45m 11s. 

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The first female runner home was Elizabeth Gatherer in 6h 8m 29s, second female was Emma Clayton in 6h 45m 41s and third was Kathryn Cuthbertson in 7h 33m 19s.

The runners’ feedback was fantastic, with several competitors commenting that it was the best marked and marshalled race they had ever participated in.

Cycle-Tec, of Builth Wells, expertly marked and de-marked the route, and 48 volunteer marshals guided the runners on the course. 

Next year’s race is already booked in for Saturday, October 4.