The “Fan Dance” – Race Report
Fan Dance Race – 22^nd and 23^rd May


Event Report by Extreme Energy
 

On the hottest day of 2010 the first ever running of the Fan Dance took place. Simply put the Fan Dance is a run up and down PenyFan, the highest peak in South Wales, based in the Brecon Beacons.

The competitors had 5 hours to visit as many checkpoints as possible in a 5 hour time limit. There were 3 checkpoints at the base of Penyfan all with different values which they had to visit at least once, and return to the top of Penyfan inbetween (1 lap) before trying to attempt any other checkpoints. 1 lap was approximately 15 miles and approximately 4000ft of climbing.

The event was split into 2 different groups. Firstly there were the runners / walkers who carried minimal safety equipment, then there was a category called the Fan Elite Warriors (F.E.W). The competitors in the FEW had the added challenge of running with a 30lb rucksack and carrying a 6lb training weapon.

With temperatures soaring up to 30 degrees over the weekend the tough route and climbing were made even harder by the heat and burning sunshine. This was made evident when during an army exercise on the hill one of the troops had to be medically evacuated off the hill with a drip to help re-hydrate.

The exceptionally warm weather brought a huge number of people to the area, and the top of the Fan was more like Brighton beach rather than the top of  the toughest mountain in South Wales. There were people playing frisby, lying sunbathing and having picincs. It was an incredible sight.

For the competitors they would definitely have liked a bit of cloud and cooler conditions, especially those running with all the weight.

The same event was run on both days, and there were some unbelievable performances.

On the Saturday the fastest man was Lyndon Gwillym. Lyndon completed the whole 15 miles in just over 3:30 and then headed back up to get one more checkpoint, which he did and got back in 4:53. Only one other competitor tried to go back up after completing the 15 mile gruelling route and that was Joe Green, who then decided to head for the distant checkpoint to try and get more points, but unfortunately did not get back in the time allowed.

The ladies winner on the Saturday was Angela Jones. Who had a fantastic time for the 15 mile lap of 4:21, and that was achieved after over shooting a checkpoint by about a mile !

For the competitors in the FEW, just getting round the 1 lap within the 5 hour time limit was going to be tough, with the heat it was going to be even tougher. In fact out of nearly 30 starters in the FEW only 3 completed it within the 5 hours, the fastest person being Paul Harwood in an unbelievable time of 4:33. One for SAS selection in the future maybe !!

The great weather and the location, at the foot of Penyfan, with a large portion of competitors camping for the weekend, made the whole atmosphere fantastic.

Day 2 saw even more heat than day 1 and slightly less breeze, so not what the competitors wanted to see. The route and rules were the same as day 1, and there were 4 people from the FEW doing the 2 day challenge. So with aching limbs they put on their rucksacks again, heads down and plodded on up the hill. These guys need a special mention, they were Alan (Jono) Johnson, Steve Moore, David Evans and Nigel Best (52 years young the day after the final day, and gave himself this challenge as a present).  Steve had an extraordinary weekend he was the only competitor in the FEW that completed the 15 mile route both days.

Day 2 saw some equally impressive running. Giles (the mountain goat) Gamon took the most direct route up and down to each checkpoint and completed the 15 mile lap in 03:43:09 to claim the 1^st place position. Claire Shelley was the winning lady on day 2 with a fantastic time of 04:10:52. The winner of the FEW on day 2 based on points score was Alan Johnson, remembering this was his second day on the hill it was an outstanding result.

Comments from competitors at the end clearly indicated that the FAN DANCE was the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance.

Over the weekend we had Help for Heroes collection boxes at the base camp and on top of the FAN. Overall we raised approximately £200 from collections and I am sure much more from personal sponsorship that the runners raised. Thanks for every penny.

Best wishes

The XNRG Team