More than 100 runners reached for the skies recently in the challenging Waun Fach seven-mile horseshoe fell race, which included a 2,000ft climb and descent.

Starting near Dinas Castle, between Talgarth and Tretower, first home in the 111-strong field was Dan Connolly of Mercia Runners in 49.46. He was followed just 37 seconds back by Rhys Goodrick of Vegan Runners.

Mercia’s Oliver Perratt came through in third place in a time of 51.23, with Jonathan Ford of Abergavenny-based Mynydd Du fourth in 52.28, who was 26 seconds ahead of fastest junior Tomas Black, a members of Black Mountains club Mynyddwyr de Cymru.

MD’s Wyndham Turner came in 10th with a time of 57.32, with club mates Tom Mollekin 16th in 59.33 and Brett Mahoney 17th, a further 10 seconds back.

The Black Mountains’ club’s Bethan Logan proved fastest woman in 21st overall, crossing in 1.01.10, 1.40 ahead of second woman and fastest over-40 female Joanne Henderson of Denbigh, with MD’s Rhian Probert third and fastest over-50 woman in 1.07.26.

MDC’s Katie Ironside was fourth female in 1.08.29, with MD’s Claire Prosser fifth and second fastest over-40 in 1.09.28.

MD’s Martin Webb was second quickest over-60 man in 1.14.07, with club mate Hilary Keogh first over-60 woman home in 1.21.02.

Waun Fach, at 811 metres (2,661 ft), is the highest mountain in the Black Mountains of south-east Wales. It is one of three Marilyns over 600 metres in the range, the others being Black Mountain and Mynydd Troed.

The Black Mountains Fell Race a week later encompassed a daunting 17 miles and 5,200ft of ascent, starting and finishing in Llanbedr.

An intrepid 42 runners started out in the race, with 38 finishing.

First home on the day was Bristol’s Liam Glen in a time of 2.44.57, who was followed by Sam Husband of Greenbow AC in 2.58.29 and Sam Rawes of Team Bath in third, 11 seconds back.

MD’s Brett Mahoney came in at fourth just 12 seconds further back, two places ahead of club mate and fastest woman Beth Logan, who came home in 3.06.18, some 11 minutes ahead of second fastest woman, Ceri Merwood of Cardiff Runners.