LLANDOVERY was a lucky venue for mountain bike champ Ben Thomas, whose 80 kilometres (49.7 miles) in four hours 16 minutes exactly secured him the British Marathon title on Sunday (Aug 28) for the second year running.
He was two seconds faster than Paul Oldham, with Giles Drake’s time of four hours 16 minutes 21 seconds securing third place. They finished the tough course in Crychan Forest plastered in mud. Sharon Laws won the women’s race in five hours 40 minutes 38 seconds, followed by Charlotte Davies (5:44:13) and Melanie Alexander (6:00:20)
Matt and Nia Page’s Carmarthenshire firm ‘A Cycling’ organised the successful event, which drew 110 riders across the championship and open categories. The five hours 18 minutes 47 seconds time of the open winner, Michael McCutcheon , was so good it would have secured him 18th place in the championship.
Twelve of the men and seven of the women riding in the championship did not finish the demanding two-lap course.
The ride to the forest from Llandovery was not timed because the cyclists shared the road with other vehicles and so processed in order. Market Square in Llandovery, closed to traffic, was a scenic backdrop for the official start by the town Mayor, Cllr David Long.
Llandovery’s busy summer continues with the annual Sheep Festival on September 24 and 25.
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