RACE organisers from the Betws y Coed Trail Challenge events had to call in a determined group of volunteers and supporters last Saturday morning to help clear the course following the aftermath of Storm Arwen, and ongoing weather problems, which had left dozens of fallen trees blocking or restricting several planned routes.

The exceptional gales, heavy rain and dangerous conditions on Friday night and during the early hours of Saturday morning provided trail officials with a nightmare scenario, but within hours a team of athletes and supporters cleared the way for five out of the six races to go ahead.

The community quickly responded and eventually only the 5k race had to be cancelled due to so many fallen trees which completely blocked the route.

Nearly 400 delighted and hardy runners were able to take part in the 10k and 20k Betws Trail events, in addition to the 10k and 20k Canicross races, and the 10k Bergen Challenge.

North Wales Road Runners Club's Sarah and Ben Hudson, who run a guest house in the town, helped to clear up the debris and set up the Betws y Coed trail course, and marshalled on the Saturday, before taking the markers down on Sunday.

NWRRC athlete Richard Scamans ran with his dog Freddie in the 10k Canicross race and finished 27th overall amongst 75 runners. He was the 12th man and completed the course in 58 minutes 47 seconds.

The race was won by Neil Thomas (Chester Triathlon) in 39.30 with GOG athlete Gareth Bowyer 2nd in 43.09. The 20k Canicross event was won by Alan Bryson in 1 hour 29 minutes and 24 seconds, and Jamie Williams claimed the honours in the 10k Bergen Challenge race in 51.55.

Some 202 runners also completed the most popular 10k race, which was won by local athlete Jonathan Tyler (Betsi Runaways) in 40 minutes 34 seconds, with Chris Pownall (Knowsley Harriers) claiming victory in the 20k race, and Simon Edwards (Buckley) also came 3rd out of 70 finishers.