Darren Thomas shone through the wind, rain, and mist to be crowned marathon champion as the Ras Dewi Sant returned to the St Davids peninsular last weekend.
 
The notoriously tough coastal event was back on after a two-and-a-half-year absence, with the Covid-19 pandemic having inevitably seen it postponed in 2020 and then moved back to a later date in 2021.
 

Thomas takes the honours in tight finish

 
Starting at the MUUK-Adventures base in St Davids, the marathon route incorporated large sections of the local coast path, but despite the tough conditions it was Thomas, 47, who narrowly pipped Chris Murphy over 26.2 miles to the win in an impressive time of 3:55:00.
 
Murphy, 52, crossed the line just two seconds later after the pair had been neck and neck for most of the morning, whilst Timothy Mills was third in 4:11:00.
 
Success in the shorter distances for Foggarty and Watson
 
The half marathon was won by Chris Foggarty in 1:43:03 with Tom Wilks runner up in 1:49:05. St Davids' own Andy Holcroft was third in 1:54:01.
 
The 10K event was won by another local runner in Fraser Watson, who clocked 42:51, with Wyn Williams second and Jennie Welton third.


 

Fintan delighted by Ras Dewi Sant’s return

 
The event will take place again in 2022, but will return to March as is tradition, and organiser Fintan Godkin said it was nice to have it back.
 
"It was a great day of racing and a friendly atmosphere," said Fintan, who had marshals stationed on the roads and coast path to help runners in all three racers.
 
"It was a friendly atmosphere so we had a bit of banter yet there were some inspiring running efforts too.
 
"It's just great to be back enjoying what we do."