The sun shone, the runners descended, and records tumbled.
 
Despite weeks of inclement weather, the sun shone for the annual Ras Dewi Sant event in St Davids last Saturday as a total of 445 competitors made it up the famous Cathedral steps to finish the marathon, half-marathon, and 10k races. Despite a saturated coast path, there were also some impressive times set as the day again attracted entrants from all over the UK.
 
Many however, ran purely for enjoyment or purposes, and they helped on by a large crowd gathered at the finish line as well members of the public who showed their support at check-points on the actual paths.
 
In the 10k race, runners set off at around 9am and it was Pembrokeshire athlete Tom Sinton who produced a superb course record time of 39:25. Wilf Williams (41:32) was second while Rhys Evans (43:03) was third. Jayne Butler was the female winner, her time of 51:25 enough for 13th overall.
 
The half-marathon winners set off from the top of the steps at the same time, and it was Dominic Perry, formerly of Haverfordwest but now based in Bath, who led for almost the entire race as he took the title in 1:33:38. Samuel Cartwright (1:40:55) was the runner-up, pulling clear of James Pyke (1:41:51) in the closing mile. The top female honour went to Caroline Davies, who notched 1:55:22 and 15th place.
 
The marathon runners set-off an hour before their counterparts, and as well as having to endure 26.2 miles of difficult terrain, also had the hindrance of using parts of the coast path trampled on by hundreds before them. It was visiting runner Nick Williams who dominated proceedings with a great time of 3:29:09. Simeon Kirkland (3:49:28) was second ahead of James Goymour (3:55:23), while Laura Clements (3:56:49) was the first female in fourth place overall - setting a new course record for her category for good measure.
 
"It's been one of the wettest starts to the year we have had in a long time, but somehow the rain was broken by a glorious sunny day for us," said organiser Fintan Godwkin, of Muuk-Adventures.
 
"This was a bonus - not only for the runners but spectators and marshals too and every little bay and inlet along the course seemed to have family and friends travelling along the coast line to support runners.
 
"But that path was still extremely wet and difficult underfoot and I think all the muddy backsides and cut knees confirmed that. So, a massive well done to all that took part."






 
10K results:
1: Tom Sinton, 39:25
2: Wilf Williams, 41:32
3: Rhys Evans, 43:03
4: Fraser Watson, 44:16
5: Barry Owen, 44:46
6: Sean Cahill, 47:59
7: Conner Doidge, 48:38
8: Paul Williams, 48:43
9: Paul Chappell, 49:07
10: Nathan Miles, 49:32
 
13: Jayne Butler, 51:25 (female winner)
 










Half-marathon results:
1: Dominic M Perry, 1:33:38
2: Samuel Cartwright, 1:40:55
3: James Pyke, 1:41:51
4: Daniel May, 1:44:00
5: Mike Wright, 1:44:59
6: Conan Westhead, 1:45:19
7: Benjamin Ryall, 1:50:06
8: Harry Clarkson, 1:52:02
9: Joshua Hogg, 1:52:05
10: John Allan, 1:53:04
 
15: Caroline Davies, 1:55:22 (female winner)















 
Marathon results:
1: Nick Williams, 3:29:09
2: Simeon Kirkland, 3:49:28
3: James Goymour, 3:55:23 (female winner)
4: Laura Clements, 3:56:49
5: Sean Duffy, 4:04:13
6: Rachel Betterton, 4:07:35
7: Alex Simmons, 4:08:41
8: George Phillips, 4:11:27
9: Luke James, 4:11:56
10: Joshua Powell, 4:12:14