MORE than one hundred runners climbed 3,000 feet in a race amid the green hills surrounding Llangollen on Sunday.

The inaugural Llangollen Fell Race saw 119 people travail the 17-mile route.

Fell running, also known as hill running, is the sport of running and racing on off-road routes that have a difficult gradient.

But the Llangollen runners' hard work paid off as they overlooked beautiful, sweeping views after setting off from Llangollen Leisure Centre and heading up Trevor Rocks, onto Eglwyseg mountain and Rhuabon mountain.

They then ran towards Cyrn Y Brain and Watkins Tower before travelling down Offa's Dyke and along the Worlds End Trail for the final sprint to the finish.

Fortunately the temperature was cool with a thin layer of cloud in the sky.

Denbighshire Free Press:

Simon Moralee, RFFR member, uses trekking poles to navigate the grassy hill.

The men's winning time was achieved by Ben Hague, from Rotherham Harriers, in 1hr 56 mins, followed by Jez Brown, from Buckley Runners, in 2hrs 4 mins.

Meanwhile, the women's winning time was achieved by Joanne Henderson, in 15th place overall, in 2hrs 26mins, followed by Kate Witfield, from Mercia Fell Runners, in 2hrs 32mins.

Warren Renkel, race director and chairman of Llangollen Run Free Fell Runners (RFFR), said: "There were 119 runners on the day which, for an event in its first year, we were really pleased with.

Denbighshire Free Press:

Mr Rankel, race director and RFFR chairman (left) handed nearly £300 in donations raised on the day to NEWSAR volunteers.

"Llangollen Leisure Centre offered a fantastic haven after the cold run in the hills, with tea, coffee and cakes for sale. Hot soup was also made by The Sun pub in Trevor."

The event was supervised by race marshals and NEWSAR crew, the North East Wales volunteer rescue team who offered first aid along the route. Post-race massages were also available to runners free-of-charge.

A total of £270 was raised and donated to NEWSAR.

Mr Rankel added: "It was a hugely successful event which we have big plans for. We will see everyone next year."

For more information visit the Llangollen Fell Race Facebook page.