The earliest written record we have found for this race is for 1925 when the winner was Lt D.I.Crawford. The next record is the 1935 winner Lt H.Holland. In neither case was the time recorded. These records are in an old Tyn-y-Groes Hotel registration book. The last record in the book is dated 19th April 1987 and reads "A middle aged marine (56 young) 24 minutes." Other records inlcude a 99 year old and an old man and a cripple..24 minutes. It would seem that not only was this race run as a race with more than one person but also single people sometimes competed against the clock.
The race was a dash from the Tyn-y-Groes hotel to the summit of Mynydd Penrhos and back.
Discussions with older menbers of the community reveal that the course has varied over the years but in about 1935 the route was more or less a straight line from the hotel down to the river across the old bridge (no longer existing) and straight up the hill where the King George jubilee stone now stands. Virtually all of the route was visible from the hotel. Now that route has been planted with trees is unusable and not visible from the hotel. However there is a natural circular route for the revived race going steeply up to the summit of Mynydd Pen-Rhos and down a somewhat lesser gradient all of it on public paths. Safety considerations no longer allow a dash across the main road so the start is now in the picnic area on the other side of the river.

The summer race takes place on the last Saturday in June each year at 12.00 noon.
It starts from the Forest Enterprise picnic area/car park across the river from the Tyn-y-Groes with a total climb of 213 metres to the summit of Mynydd Pen-Rhos and return by means of a public footpath crossing a minor road (marshalled) before following the river upstream through the forest and emerging at the finish on the field at the picnic area.
There is a small entry fee with all profits going to charity.

Refreshments, snacks and meals available at the Tyn-y-Groes Hotel.
Prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd , 40+, 50+, 60+, and 70+ for males and females and for fastest local man and lady. Male and female winners will be signed into the Tyn-y-Groes record book and have their names engraved on a shield to be displayed in the hotel.
Distance is 2.1 miles but includes 650 vertical feet of climb! This is a category A short race. You must bring your fell kit although the requirement to use it is improbable unless the weather is severe in which case I will insist on it.
Insurance for the runners is arranged through the WFRA
Fell shoes are recommended for the faster runners, but running shoes or trainers are also acceptable. There is a minimum age limit of 14.

The Boxing Day version of the race is slightly longer and a little less serious starting at the bus stop opposite the hotel and incorporating an extra length of public footpath before joining the summer route. The sting in the tail is the return journey up this path at the end of the race. Registration is on the day from 11.00 pm in the Tyn-y-Groes Hotel and there are toilet facilities in the car park at the race start.
e.mail me if you have any questions
Bob Chilton