MATTHEW Roberts from Calder Valley Fell Runners emerged as the overall winner of this year’s Ras y Gader race.

He set a strong pace to claim a convincing win in a time of 1:24:08, from Robin Woods of Builth and District in 1.30.02 and Jez Brown of Buckley in 1.30.15.

The course record was set by five times winner, Colin Donnelly of Eryri Harriers back in 1996, and still stands at 1:21:18.

The first woman was Sarah Ridgway from Mercia Fell Runners in 1:43:32, from Helen Brown, of Mynydd Du, in 1.53.11, and Jessica Richardson, third in 1.54.25.

The Cader Idris mountain race, is one of the toughest fell races in Wales, and viewed by many as a classic fell race.

The race started and finished in Dolgellau, at sea level, and climbed almost 3,000ft to the summit of Pen y Gader.

One of the real challenges was the constantly changing terrain, switching from steep metalled roads to flat tracks behind Gwernan lake, pitched steps up the Pony Path, before runners pick their way among boulder fields on the final ascent.

The first Male U23 was David Lawson in 01.40.56, first M40 was Paul Jones of Mercia in 01.34.34, first M50 was Christian Poulton, Cambridge in 01.38.32, and first M60 was Iwan Edgar, Eryri in 01.52.14.

The first female U23 runner was Hazel MacLean in a time of 02.15.27, first F40 was Kate Whitfield in 02.00.33, first F50 was Rona Davies in 02.08.39, and first F60 was Elspeth Knott, Harwich in 02.27.53.

Tristan Evans led the way for Meirionnydd Running Club in an excellent 15th position overall in a time of 01:37:48.

Jermey Randall was the fifth M50 runner in a time of 01:48:50, followed by Meirionnydd teammates Gwion Roberts in 01:49:12, M40 runner Arfon Hughes in 02:01:40; M50 Dave Whittey in 02:05:31; M50 Dave Loveluck in 02:05:45; Steffan Owen in 02:05:57; F40 Anneliese Loveluck in 02:09:37; Ben Wells in 02:12:19; MU23 Rob Whittey in 02:13:34; M50 Glyn Rowlands in 02:16:09; M40 Justin Pilkington in 02:16:57; M50 Kevin Evans in 02:46:13 and F40 runner Mpho Bogatsu in 02:47:33.

Nearly 100 children took part in the Ras y Gader 2017 junior races, and the winners of this year’s races were: Fun Run: 1st Boy Johnny Leeds, Dolgellau; 1st Girl Rhiana Williams, Dolgellau; Under 12s 1st Boy Callum Morgan, Maldwyn Harriers; 1st Girl Rhianna Williams, Dolgellau.

Under 14s 1st Boy Theo Watson, Dolgellau; 1st Girl Carys Simmonds, Academi Coed y Brenin; and Under 16s 1st Boy Ben Daniels, Bro Dysynni; and 1st Girl Lleucu Lane, Academi Coed y Brenin.