Yes, you read it right - UK Champ! and no, it did not involve my dog! Ok, it was not a track race or road race. This National Title came in the discipline of Trail running, but a title is a title. My last since 3km indoors in 2006, but this time i had to run a bit further, by about 9miles!

This weekend saw me as part of my Welsh Athletics competition’s role, travel to near Aberystwyth for the UK & Welsh Championship trail running championship. Me and my wife Alex, travelled up Friday night, to camp near the race, enjoying the beautiful countryside and a few beers. Woke up on Saturday morning after a night where it seemed it didn't stop raining all night, but had stopped by the morning. We travelled the 4 miles down to the race start, a few hours before the event to put up Welsh Athletics banners and flags. The event was held at the stunning Nant y Arian forestry Estate, with a 1pm start and a 11+ mile route up and around every mountain trail in the grounds.

Thought, why not have a go! I’m a miler but have years and years of miles in my old legs and train on trails every day. Took it out and hit the lead straight away, felt pretty good all the way round and was really pleased to end up winning the whole event. I ran 1hour 14:57mins for the 11.5mile course, which gave me lots of time to think about my own career over the last few years. It was strange as i woke up thinking about a few things over the last few years that have not quite gone to plan with my running career. I think doing race today was a way of trying to get that love back from running, that can be lost by so many track races through the years. This was running at its basics, i thought about all my runs over the years with the Cardiff boys. I also thought about all my run's at Blaise Castle, Castle Coch and also Llantrisnt Forest. This kept me going as my longest ever race before this has been a 12km cross-country race, this was almost twice the distance.

So, I am now the National Trail running champion and Welsh Champion, but not sure why more people don't take up the challenge, it's a great race and a great place to stay and camp. Plus, if your looking to re-find your love affair with running, then this is the race for you.

cheers jt