Introduction By WGC

Imagine if you will, taking one step forward. Then imagine that being on a hill with a sheer incline in south Wales called Pen- Y - Fan. Then imagine that step being a jog - and then not stopping till you are at the top - and then some! And more fearsome of all - imagine the race leader was Hywel Davies, one the fittest people in the world. And the simple task ahead of you now is keeping up!

It could be argued that you would be either very foolish or stark raving bonkers to even contemplate this, or there could be another reason.

That reason was, a close friend to them all, passed away last year. This was a memorial run in the memory of Phil McConnell. And they all turned up in earnest to pay their respects in one of the only ways they know possible, a tough physical run that will challenge you to the limits. These are truly inspiring people.

I was privileged to mark the occasion with a few photographs a chat and lunch after. I thank all those that took part and would like to think that I have contributed in the only way I know possible.

Sean

The Phil McConnell Memorial Run

The walk to the summit was challenging enough. My companion was Rory Macquisten, husband to Jax and their four legged "mentally unstable" boxer dog - Louis! For Rory and I the walk was completed in glorious weather, a nip in the air and a casual pace. The scenery on the way up - spectacular - on top wonderful and on the way down - breathtaking ....literally. It's a fair old walk.

Each step you take does make you appreciate how very hard these athletes train; they are all accomplished X Trainers. Hywel holds the world record for the Octathalon Cup course (9.47) and Jax is the current UKXTA female champion. Roscoe, runs Netfit ( a renowned website for instructional technique on improving fitness), Will runs DB Max (www.dbmax.co.uk) the website for X Trainers to keep updated. And Steve is a an outstanding athlete who demands personally to be challenged.

Hywel is no stranger to this event - on a previous occasion accompanied by Phil, the scenery was not so spectacular. Patchy snow lay on the ground, a biting wind chilled their bones and poor weather was on the menu for later. But determination and a sense pf purpose prevailed and they set off to do what they had come to do, run Pen- Y - Fan. Phil and Hywel I am told would have it no other way.

At the top of the Pen - Y - Fan we met up with Roscoe Nash an experienced former Royal Marine. Being safety conscious he had chosen not to complete the full circuit of the mammoth task but had reached the summit complete with rucksack and champagne – an impressive achievement. With experience comes knowledge and the time to question your own ability. And for Roscoe being the true professional, and not wanting to upset his current training programme - damage limitation and risk assessment is paramount.

Roscoe set off with the pack again as they began their descent. Rory and I joined them later after they had all descended to the Storey Arms Car Park. They were in a pack, drinking tea sharing a sense of achievement in their accomplishment and beaming in confidence. Others walked by casually, not knowing what the group had just accomplished. No big banners, no marching bands, no jostling wave of photographers - just quiet pride.

They had come to remember the memory of Phil McConnell. And they did and will continue to do so. This was their fitting tribute to a friend they all loved dearly and miss.