On the Tryfan Downhill Dash race, held yesterday, 18 year-old Euan Patton broke the longstanding record for a speed descent of the iconic peak, romping home in a staggering time of just 7 minutes 21 seconds.

The previous fastest time of 8 minutes for the 600m descent from Tryfan's summit, down the precipitous west flank to the valley, was set 34 years ago by Mike Blake, who broke both wrists falling in the gully on his way down.

"What does it take to win? I'd say equal amounts of confidence, ability and recklessness" said Mike in an interview in the early 1990s.

This short film by Franco Cookson gives some idea of the terrain and breakneck pace involved: