DAN Jones’ reign as Snowdonia marathon champion came to an end on Sunday as he finished a valiant fifth in 2hrs 46mins 19secs.
That time was well outside the 2:36.54 he ran in victory last year (pictured left) and the 2:36.46 for second place in 2016 but Jones’ wasn’t unhappy with the outcome.
“Okay I am 10 minutes down on the times I have run the past two years and while it is disappointing not to win again after last year I think it was the best I could hope for on the day as I am not 100 per cent compared to my fitness at this time last year,” said Jones.
“The second half was really tough in hard conditions and I was on my own for a long time which didn’t help. Fifth place wasn’t too bad.”
Clubmate Mark Mackintosh’s decision to join Jones in north Wales was rewarded with first place in the veterans’ over 50s category as he came 32nd overall in 3:07.25.