Three Counties Running Club member overcomes huge ultra challenge at Snowdonia National Park

Three Counties Running Club member Craig Freestone overcame the most challenging event he has ever faced at the seventh edition of Yr Wyddfa Ultra.

Freestone was ready to throw in the towel at one stage in Snowdonia National Park until some words of encouragement from his fiancée Tracey Else inspired him to finish the 50-mile event organised by the GB Ultras.

He began the event feeling like he had possibly not trained enough but also thought he was still able and ready to take on the massive task ahead of him, running in the dark, from Betws-y-Coed along the valley to the the foot of Tryfan.

Like any mountain, what goes up has to come down and the runners ventured up Snowdon via the Pyg track to the summit.

The 40 miles-per-hour winds made it even more difficult and Freestone struggled with exhaustion, poor fuelling, and now mentally he was feeling defeated and knew he had undertrained.

Craig went back up Tryfan, but this time at an easier steadier pace and made sure he refuelled more and the next 20 miles were undulating with boggy tracks, narrow paths skirting alongside lakes and trekking through forests in the pitch black.

Mentally he was struggling, but there was a glimmer of relief as in the distance he could see the finish line.

Freestone eventually finished in a fantastic time of 16:37:22.

Parkrun results

Boston: Joely Apps 31:44

Killerton: Colin Apps 31:36.

Kings Lynn: Sarah Johnson 22:33 (PB), Daniel High 25:54, Claire Smithee 26:14.

Brandon Country Park: Sally Fawkes 36:51.

Hunstanton: Naomi Smith 30:34.

Dereham: Craig Freestone 24:05 (28th/209), Tracey Else 30:19, Melvin Green 31:10.

Wisbech: Jonny Clark 22:08 12/133, Lauren Day 23:55 16/133 (first in age), Jodie Clark 28:20, Laura Vincent 30:11, Donna Johnson 30:11, David Hammond 32:35, Keith White 32:44, Sarah Lamb 33:32, Tracy Pratt 36:26, Jennie Ambrose 42:53.