Sunday September 16th dawned with torrential downpours, low laying mist and a line-up of nearly 100 runners ready to take on the climbs and trails of Pumsaint Trail half marathon and fun runs. Conditions as they were bode well for the runners but for the marshals and organisers, some of whom were out in the elements for near to 3 hours, it was pure cheer and commitment that kept them going.

Saturday 25th August can mean only one thing... Its Ras Beca day. A fantastically popular event for many a Sarn Helen runner there is no other race like it. Along the peaks of the Preseli Mountains the 5mile route encompasses bog, mountains, rocky climbs, a considerable amount of mud, and more bog. 8 Sarn Helen lined up for the start gun but only 7 runners finished as the youngest club member present, Tomos Morgans, made off to a good start but badly sprained his ankle half way through.

A total 33 runners took part in this year's Caio-Llanwrda race organised by Eirian Ad-clad Davies on Friday 27th July. It was the "easy" version this year starting in the small village of Caio and ending in Llanwrda. The race was won by Sarn Helen's Carwyn Davies in a time of 54.14, but he was pushed all the way by Llandovery's Wendy Price who finished just 4 seconds behind him! Calvin Williams was 4th veteran male across the line on a time of 66.06, and Carol Rees ran a great race to finish as 2nd veteran female in a time of 76.26. Eirian Davies himself finished in 89 mins and Sarn lady Emma Davies crossed the line in 1hour 47.

Friday evening on July 6^th saw the 7^th annual Cwmann 5 race held from the local ganolfan and was, as usual, well supported by both locals and club affiliated athletes. The well attended event is known for being well hosted with great support, strong spectatorship and welcome refreshments while the races, both children and adults, offer athletes of all abilities the opportunity to test their competition and endurance.

A succession of successful races for Team Sarn Helen over June and July has resulted in some big personal bests, top class places and even some outright wins. Our Ironman extraordinaire, Gareth Hodgson has epitomised these three points whilst competing at three separate events across the UK.

Friday 29^th June was a particularly warm night for running however that did nothing to deter the competitors that came along to participate in Sarn Helen Running Clubs fifth event of the year, the Felinfach 6, which was hosted at the local primary school.

Ras Y Hafod, an annual event held around the majestically grounds of Hafod estate, was well attended by Sarn Helen Running club on Wednesday 9th May with juniors and seniors taking home some bling. The all off road and somewhat technical secondary school event was won outright by Sarns Gwion Payne and the first girl home was our very own Alaw Jones. The 10k adults race was just as well attended by the dreaded midges but they seemed to impact little on the Sarn Helen performances. We placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4rd overall with Felipe Jones 40:37, Dylan Lewis 40:51, Gareth Payne 42:51 and Andrew Poole 45:05. Aled Sion Jones placed 7th overall in 47:46 with Dee Jolly next to cross the line in 48:02, 1st lady. Eilir Evans made his Sarn Helen debut in a strong time of 49:36 while Tony Hall placed 1st M60 in 53:55 and Mick Taylor 1st M50 in 55:30.

On the misty morning of Sunday the 13th of May, 6 Sarn Helen members collected at Lampeter swimming pool to start the 3rd Campau Caron Triathlon. This year’s Triathlon was different to previous years with the competitors starting in Lampeter and finishing in Tregaron. The 400meter swim was in Lampeter Swimming pool, on finishing their swim the 31 competitors took to their bikes and cycled the 12miles to Tregaron, through the villages of Cellan, Llanfair and Llanddewi Brefi before reaching Tregaron Leisure centre and into the 2nd transition.