The 41st annual Ras Beca race held over a five-mile course in the Preseli hills was again a huge success and blessed with fine weather as nearly 70 runners competed in the main race and 50 competitors in the one mile Ras Mochyn Du for children.

It was a case of déjà vu for 41-year-old Sarn Helen runner Felipe Jones who won the race for the fourth time in a time of 37 minutes 20 seconds. He came home ahead West Coast triathlon runner Alan Latter whose time was 40 minutes and 40 seconds.

The first race was in 1977, held to commemorate the 19th century Rebeca Riots when farm workers disguised as women smashed toll gates across the country, and in line with tradition the winner used an axe to smash symbolic toll gates at the finish.

The record for the gruelling race is 32 minutes 55 second set in 1995 by former St Dogmaels world triathlete Aled Rees who won three times.

Results

Ras Beca

Male under 40 yrs: Owen Lewis.

Female under 40yrs: Dee Jolly. Male over 40yrs: Felipe Jones. Female over 40yrs: Bethan Ouseley. Male veteran over 50yrs: Glyn Price. Female veteran over 50: Joanna Collins. Male super veteran over 60yrs: Glen Davies. Female super veteran over 60yrs: Hazel Davies. Local male: Alan Latter, Brynberian. Local female: Efa Jones. Team of four from athletics club: Sarn Helen. Team of four from non-athletic club: The A Team (Vicky Stark, Efa Jones, Scott Barret, Jac Williams)

Ras Mochyn Du

Boys under 16yrs: Callum Thomas. Girls under 16: Ella Llewellyn. Boys under 14: Jasper Lowde. Girls under 14: Ffion Ouseley. Boys under 11: Seke Jones-Diaz. Girls under 11: Lleuca Mathias. Boys under 8: Seb Harries. Girls under 8: Manon Rees