Ras Beca celebrates 40 years

One of the most popular events in cross country and fell running, Ras Beca held over a gruelling five-mile course in the Preseli Hills, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday.

The first race was way back in 1977 and organised to commemorate the 19th century Rebecca Riots when farm workers disguised as women smashed toll gates across the country.

Former St Dogmaels world triathlete Aled Rees, who won the race three times, holds the course record of 32 minutes 5 seconds set in 1995 and no-one has come anywhere near lowering the time.

There were high hopes of it happening in 2013 with ideal underfoot conditions for a strong field, but the winner Felipe Jones of Aberystwyth Athletic Club, who completed a win hat-trick was 3 minutes 11 seconds outside the record.

Last year's race was won by 26-year-old holidaymaker Arron Andrew Larken, who is a member of Rotherham-based Kimberworth Striders, in a time of 38 minutes 36 seconds.

An innovation this year is the use of remote control drones filming the race so that spectators can watch the race unfold in the hills on a large screen near the finishing line.

Every competitor will be presented with a special 40th anniversary medal.

Ras Y Mochyn Du, a one mile race for children starts at 1.30pm to be followed by the main event.

One of the organisers said: "We hope people turn out in large numbers

for the 40th race and with a bit of luck the weather will be set fair."