The new summer series of trail races being held in mid Wales continued at the Hafod estate near Pont-rhyd-y-groes earlier this month.

After kicking off at Nant yr Arian a fortnight earlier, the second race of the series was the popular Ras yr Hafod which was first held at the historic estate in 2010.

Following the success at Nant yr Arian, there was a fantastic turnout once more at the Hafod with local clubs Sarn Helen, Aberystwyth AC, Cerist Triathlon, Builth and District and Aberystwyth University Harriers once more well represented.

The evening began with the primary school races.

Macs Hughes was the comfortable winner in the year 3 and 4 race followed by Yasmine Evans whom was the first of the girls.

Gwenan Hughes was third overall and second of the girls with Freya Lerigo making up the podium. Dyfan Huw was second of the year 3 and 4 boys, with Iwan Daniel third.

In the year 5 and 6 race, Jac Myrddin took the win and was closely followed by Owain Lewis and Ben Hall to complete the boys’ podium.

Gwen Tomset was first of the girls with Lili Myrddin a close second and Llinos Rowlands third.

The secondary school race was run over a full lap of the seniors race, and therefore just shy of three miles in distance including the long challenging climb up to the St Michael Church before a fast descent to the finish near the Hafod Estate Office.

First overall was Liam Regan in an impressive time of 19:40. Second was Ollie Lerigo in 22:39, with Ifan Morris completing the boys’ podium in 24:03.

It was a close battle amongst the secondary girls with Leah Regan just taking the win in 25:30 with Bethan Rosser just four seconds back and Enfys Rowlads third in 26:02.

A strong field lined up for the two lap, 5.5 mile, seniors race which included Nant yr Arian winner Robin Woods of Builth and Owain Schiavone of Aberystwyth AC along with Dylan Lewis of Sarn Helen and both James Cowan and Joe Robson of Aberystwyth University Harriers.

A group of five soon broke clear at the front with Cowan leading in the early technical stages through the woodlands along the Ystwyth river.

However, 2016 winner of the race, Schiavone, made his move half way around the first lap as they approached the tough 400ft climb from Peiran Falls to the church.

The group was soon broken up as the Aberystwyth runner and Robin Woods of Builth opened a good gap on the others.

It was nip and tuck between the two leaders for the whole of the second lap with Schiavone pulling clear again on the climb second time round, and just managing to hold off strong descender Woods to take the win in 35:18.

Woods finished just three seconds back with Dylan Lewis of Sarn Helen third in 37:04.

It was a battle between two Sarn Helen runners at the front of the ladies race with Dee Jolly's time of 44:22 beating Caryl Davies' 45:45 with Lynwen Huxtable of Aberystwyth AC completing the ladies’ podium in a time of 46:18.

There were also category wins for Aberystwyth men Balazs Pinter (M50), Damian Sidnall (M60) and John Evans (M70). Jimmy Carter of Cerist Tri won the M40 category, with Claire Morris of Tim Dic first F40, and Nicola Kerry of Builth and District winning the F50 category.

The third race of the series will be held in Builth Wells on Wednesday, June 15.