Leg Zero: Toddy and Gemma spotted getting a few miles done in Winsford on Gemma's wedding morning (yes they did get a cow-belling!)
Excuse me, is this your dog? H trials pet ownership while DC guards against bucket-snatchers
Bucket, flag, curly wig, hooter, t-shirt, crazy socks, cowbell, energy bars, sponges, bottles... it never used to be this complicated going on holiday.
Bernie and compatriots at Caernarfon
DG keeps a firm hold of his car-keys - there's a long way to go!
Tom's ready for Mardi Gras...
Colin begins his warm-up exercises
...as DC warms up with his bucket...
...while DG warms up in a wig
Ten minutes until the start, time to head up the hill.
"Look at the man in the funny wig!" says Jo. James wonders whether to mention the irony so early in the day.
Nice hooter
"I might just FLY to Cardiff" says SuperHelen
Yellow & Blue Through and Through
Bernie's new enterprise as a sports masseur gets off to a shaky start
...and they're off! Can you spot our runner?
Dave does his best to blend in, but it's just not working...
Tiny tightrope walkers hope the team keep it taut
Mike secretly regrets buying the "Extra Large" shorts just to impress a girl.
Mike coaches DG and Paula to even better flag-waving
Who's got the Horn? (might as well get it out of the way now!)
Bell-boy DC wonders which tunes have only two notes
You don't need a marshall to stop the traffic dressed like that!
DG with the VR CR on his mind
Mary is delighted with the new omelette recipe
Yeah, you just put the eggs in the trumpet bit, give it a shake, microwave for 60 seconds on high and you're done!
"Look, it's me!" Mike W removes his cunning "dark glasses" disguise. "Did you know it was him all along?" asks Bernie.
DiG in, that record can be yours!
Tom's computed that I will gain an advantage of 2.10897 seconds per mile with this wig as long as the tailwind keeps blowing
...and by running a tangent at this corner I will shave another 0.87563 seconds from Bernie's club record
Better not tell Dave Haines about this mountainy bit, I've got him pencilled in for leg 1 next year.
Hi Tony - what are you doing down there mate?
Tugger just can't believe those socks!
Aaaagh! Forgot my wig!
Go on girl, you can win first blue-and-yellow lady if you get past her!
Go West, young Janet...
With a side-parting, maybe I can get a gig as a Gabrielle lookie-likie
Better stay undercover, that woman is from the Welsh Immigration Office.
Buttercup Clutterbuck makes her first appearance at the Castles
Hey Buttercup, any moos about Janet yet?
Have you anything to say to our viewers Buttercup? Just look at the camera and moo into this errr.... brass microphone
Dizzy and Tugger disown their new playmate
Jo makes sure Buttercup doesn't miss the action - well done BC, you've cleared most of the grass off that patio.
The excitement builds - she'll be here any minute... Tom can't bear to look!
No holds barred for Penny
Get yer dirty hands off me udders!
Not everyone needs a wig!
Snow flurry
As the weather gets a little cooler, we start to expect snow before long
Gorseinon runner distracted by an interesting lot at the auction. Janet takes advantage and opens a gap.
"Well, there was this Welsh Black, then when I looked round, she'd got away!"
Janet stays ahead of the big Welsh lassie
It's Rimmel Electric Blue. I only buy the best.
Flying water station
Flying the flag
Janet's flying too
"You'll have to slow down a bit if you want this drink!"
Looks like someone over-hydrated before the start!
Nifty changeover
After his training camp with Team Archer, Clutty prepares to squirt passing supporters
Britain synchronized trampolining squad are slightly out
Probably just a couple of hoodies looking for something to vandalise
"There's nuffin to do round ere, lets daub the phonebox"
Liz works up a thirst on Stage 3
Matt ignores the clear instructions painted on the road
"So where's this legendary hill then"?
Thumbs up for Lucozade
"Oh, I see it now..."
Liz motoring to the Moelwyns
Give him the horn!!
Can you hear us now?!
Sara just having too much fun
Bye Matt - enjoy the climb!
Matt rolls in to Maentwrog
Next stop Harlech...Bernie strolls into Maentwrog
This leg would be a lot nicer by canoe
Class vets take off
Bernie hard at it, up front on leg 4
Our flag's bigger than your flag!
Just time for a quick sponge-stop
Hang on in there Mr Jones
Bernie back in God's own country
and he couldn't look much happier!
Nice to see you, too
Buttercup thinks about a quick dip
Moly gets away from the pack
Keep your hair on Jo!
Jo Moly having snatched the baby's bottle
Jo spots a yellow/blue man holding hands with a new friend!
Off-road at Penmaenpool
Vale Royals STU D gets a round of applause
Surprisingly strong side winds on the way to Dolgellau.
Life-jacket inflated, she's heading for the Haines water/shower station
Buttercups hangs around while we wait for the race to come by
This wasn't what I had in mind when you said you'd get me a new dress for driving you all day...
Anudder lazy afternoon
Stu smiles and eats up the miles on his way to a fantastic second place in Dolgellau
Jane proves to be more than a shadow of her former self
Is she smiling? She just might be you know! Campion cracks on.
Jane loses her "most extravagent Do" title, temporarily.
Big Mark drops in
"OK, stretch RIGHT up - then honk!"
Mike and Helen are sadly eliminated from the Welsh heats of "Strictly"
Daz hotfoots it to Dinas Mawddwy - another fine run in the mountains
One 'leather clad' Big Man and a baby
DC makes his move and starts bell-ting along
Tony A on the Harley D
Mary dodges the hedge
These Go-Faster Sox really work!
Multicoloured M&Ms
Mike's lack of training shows as Mary decides she can't take all afternoon waiting for that bottle!
The sun sinks as Tom gets going
Blue skies yet again - the Tourist Board will be pleased.
WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SPACIOUS KENNEL?!
Buttercup begins to flag after a long day on the road - Tom dreams of fish and chips...
Everywhere's turning blue and yellow
Tom finds a smile for the camera as he runs the late, late half marathon
Still going strong way past seven
The House of Archer presents its summer collection...
It's alright, he didn't get run over!
No comment!
Half way there! time for a drink
And for some speed dating
Early morning and the little yellow & blue man is off
James moving masterfully up the field on Stage 12
He WILL get ahead will Edwards... James fires up the afterburners coming into the finish
Another happy customer for the DC sponge machine
Bwlch Rathbone
Sonia O'Sullivan's just gone by, so Col can't be far behind
Grand Col makes the Poole runner sweat
Colin ignoring the road signs again
Col grinds out another great run
Be afraid, Mr Burgess, be VERY afraid...
Colin's 5 minute mile. Rolling back the years....
Nicky gets her first 'real' endorsement
Nicky confirms which part of Cheshire the family own
Nicky suggests that the officials look after James's spare keys ... just in case
Baby Archer always glad to be back running legs for Vale Royal
Police Mike relunctant to show off his socks
Nicky collects her thoughts as the Drovers climb looms... but what's this? One of DC's sponges is in trouble! - EEEEK! Too late.
Queen of the Drovers, mid-flight
Nicky passes silver cars on the way to gold
Mike demonstrates perfect handling
DG looking pensive - will she get that yellow jersey?
It's looking good now - Archer's found the hill gear
Going like the clappers - and Nic looks good too
"How are my socks, cocker?"
Nik's high point of the weekend!
Nicky's got stickability - the socks could do with a little more!
Cruising at 400m
Archer's gonna get you...
No magic sponge needed!
Told you so!
Nic storms to stage win and club record at the top of the Drovers
Probably the most welcome finish banner in the whole race
At the weekend, I'm with the TA
Still perfect weather
Sock competition winner
Artwork suffers from tough stage
If it's alright with you Dave, I'll just have a drink then I'll be up for a bit of hand-shaking
Big T is PD
The Beacons are in sight
Team Miles ready for action as Graham approaches
Happy Father's Day Dad! Are you enjoying your special treat?!
"Tell you what, next year, you can take me to the pub like all the normal families"
"Blimey, is this my reward for year-round parental duties?"
Graham working hard on his way to a great top-10 place
Goffy spotted, despite camouflage, by local resident as Graham motors away
Archers make a quick recovery and are soon back on the road
"Yep, think I can see Helen - somewehre down there!"
DG on his way back from a spot of bird-watching near Beacons Reservoir.
Come on H! Hills are your new best friends!
Helen leaves the women trailing and takes control on her way to our second yellow jersey
Pauline gets stuck in on the way to Merthyr
Hard work pays off for Pauline
"There's more of them coming- give us me sponge back!". Meanwhile, Liz does a bit of stretching.
DJ water station gets into full production
Pauline hits the hill
Found him! Paul on the run near Aberfan
Clutty digs in on his way to a great WC debut run
Noise machine prepares to ramp it up at Abercynon
Honestly, that trout was THIS big!
Rescuing a stranded Hainesy from the Edwards-mobile and running a tough WC leg - Clutty unfazed by a busy afternoon!
Support crew re-forms ready for Cardiff
Hainsey demonstrates his super-human powers!
Mum, why's that castle smaller than our house?
"Are you sure this is the right way Jo? It's not how Colin described it!"
You'd have thought they'd have got the start/finish banner the right way round, eh?
Oh yes, we are very happy to be here
It was lovely when we got here!
Now there's a few ideas for next year's musical accessories...
No point in Dragon it out now...
Hard to spot, those Vale Royal people.
Quick re-fuel before the finale
Meditative moments
Medication moment?!
Mary has a pristine do while Mike goes for the side-parting
Study in Blue and Yellow
Carol continues to make sure that Col is properly fuelled
He'll be coming THAT WAY! Team Harrington arrive as Mike speeds towards Cardiff
Now, who are we missing?
We definitely had someone else with us...
Big T creates hair envy
We knew there was someone else coming to Cardiff! Mike finishes it off in style as it stair-rods it down
211 miles from Caernarfon, Police Mike gets the full Vale treatment as it gets VERY noisy in Cardiff
Croups win spot-prize for innovative use of groundsheet
Nuff said
RIP Benny Hill, your memory will never die!
Darren is so pleased to be given the judge's prize for "Technical Merit in Sponging Systems"
Christ - now that's frightening. So's the chap in the foreground!
Presentation interrupted by necessarily raucous behaviour
"Now then young lady, be careful, this is VERY heavy"
"Which club did you say you were from?" Nicky makes a statement as she receives her Mountain Stage win lamp from the President of Wales
Good job you get 4 V's in the letraset packet
This will look good on the mantelpiece
No Dad, it's not a bottle of whisky
BC & MC contemplating our enforced separation
I'll never stretch that far - you'll have to chuck the lamp over!
President Morgan looks on in awe at Lil Mountain Trasher
"If you win again next year, you get the canary to go with it!"
Now that is a happy expression
John makes sure there's a camp site in Cardiff!!
Can it, no, surely it can't be?
Job done, showered off, time to go to the pub!
Kingsleys mountain Queens celebrate
