ATHLETES were left with a challenging time during a popular April event.

With gales and heavy rain forecast, the organisers of the Foel Lus fell race decided not to cancel the short 5.1k event despite wind speeds of over 50mph on the summit.

Most of the eight Denbigh Harriers who took part were soaked before the start of the 381-metre (1,250ft) climb to the summit into a stiff wind.

On the summit, most runners had difficulty making the 90-degree turn to descend into the teeth of the gale with rain that stung any exposed skin.

Menai Baugh ended up having to hold onto another runner at the summit to avoid being blown over.

Despite the conditions everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and they had a story to tell.

Tony Wood had a very impressive run, finishing in front of many of his usual rivals in 11th.

Meanwhile, Katy Baugh finished as the sixth woman despite starting at the back of the field and she overhauled her dad, David, who finished in 42nd place.

Emma Collins demolished the F60 category - and the F50 category too - finishing as 10th women.

Mike Hobday had a terrific run on home territory to finish in a strong 64th, while Peter Lester Owen pipped Duncan Jones in the race as they finished 69th and 71st respectively. Menai managed to avoid getting blown over and showed her descending skills to finish in 92nd.

Harriers Catherine Tudor Jones, Jack Corney, Helen Davies and Abigail Corfe ran the epic Manchester Marathon.

Catherine was in amazing form to cross the line in 3-19.58, with Jack also finishing strongly in 3-29.46.

Helen and Abigail ran together after supporting each other in training, with Helen achieving a personal best and Abigail completing her first marathon in a brilliant time of 4-52.51.