ALMOST 100 competitors from far and wide took part in the 37th annual Ras Beca over the Preseli Hills on Saturday, August 23.

With ideal conditions and warm sunshine there was some optimism that the longstanding course record of 32 minutes 5 seconds would be broken, but the first runner home was six minutes outside of the time set by St Dogmaels triathlete Aled Rees in 1995.

The first man home was James Wood of Staffordshire who taking part in his first Ras Beca, followed by Sarn Helen runners Daniel Hooper and Glyn Price in second and third respectively. The first woman home was Nerys Jones, a corporal in the Army who was home on leave.

She finished in 44 minutes 16 seconds and was followed by Aneura Phillips and Eleri Lindsey in second and third place.

As well as a big turnout for Ras Beca, there were a total of 65 children taking part in the Ras Mochyn Du.

The five mile race first run in 1977, commemorates the nineteenth century Rebecca Riots when farm workers disguised as women smashed toll gates across the country.

In line with tradition the winners used axes to smash their way through symbolic toll gates at the finish.

The trophies were presented by Ras Beca chairman Ceri Davies of Brynberian.