Good running weather, plus the effort of scores of volunteers, added to by hundreds of runners from all over Wales and England made the recent Rhayader 30k and 10k races a great success.

Race director Derek Price said: “Everything came together well today and I am immensely grateful to the volunteers, fellow committee members and all the organisations who contributed to an outstanding day. We had two well attended and challenging races that went off smoothly and without a hitch.

“The feedback we received from runners is highly complimentary, most praising the event organisation with many runners marvelling at the Elan Valley’s scenery. One runner told us the scenery was so stunning it took away the pain!”

Jacob Tasker, from Ogmore Pheonix club won the men’s 30k race in 1 hour 46 minutes. Jacob came to Rhayader last year and chose to run the 10k race and won it.

Jacob said: “Last year I thought the setting of the race was very special, the town and marshals so friendly that I decided to come back.”

Matthew Collins of Oswestry Olympians was second in 1 hour 32 minutes with Martin Green third in 1hour 48 minutes.

Charlotte Hunter of Oswestry Olympians was the first woman; coming home in a time of 2 hours 14 minutes.

Charlotte, who is preparing for the Manchester Marathon, said: “I loved the course, took it easy for the first few miles and it paid off.”

Wendy Price of Amman Valley Runners was second in 2 hours 16 minutes and coming in third was Dee Jolly of Sarn Helen Club.

The 10k race was won by unattached runner Carl Phillips who got past Builth Wells and District runner Lee Price in the final stages of the race, finishing ahead of Lee by four seconds in a time of 37 minutes 12 seconds. Sam Roberts was third in 38 minutes 38 seconds.

From Builth Wells and District Kate Jones was first in 42 minutes 58 seconds. Amie Fithern and Jenny Evans were second and third in times of 43.27 and 46.15 respectively.

The age related categories always fiercely contested, results are as follows:

30K Vets winners:

V35: Carl Salmon, unattached/ Kelly Bowen, Croft Ambrey

V40: Matt Yelland, Croft Ambrey/ Janneke Van Beijnum, Croft Ambrey

V45: Mark Thomas,Croft Ambrey/ Joanna Eddy, Hereford Couriers

V50:Matt Gesty, Birmingham Running and Triathlon/ Sally- Ann Walker, Tipton Harriers

V55: Andrew Brasington, Ebbw Vale/ Gail Waters, New Forrest Runners

V60 Ruchard Popiel, Silson Joggers/ Penelope Barber, Tipton Harriers

V65 Paul Milson, Vegan Runners/Jill Hillman, unattached

V70: Jon Brough, Stroud District

10K Vets winners:

V40: Mark Taylor/Jo Baker, both unattached

V50: Michael Davies/Penny Howard, both unattached

V60: Peter Fithern/Nikki Childs, both unattached

V70 Jim Stocker, Huntingtonshire AC

Derek Price concluded by mentioning the race began in 1984, then a 20 miler, and said: “We’ll have to do something special next year to mark the fortieth anniversary of the race - this year’s event gives us a strong incentive to do so - and also to increase the membership of the organising committee who have worked incredibly hard and achieved so much”

Complete race results can be found on the Round the Lakes website.