Welsh Castles Relay 9-10 June 2018

If so then it is that time of year again when we look forward to the Welsh Castles Relay
nFor those who don’t know about the Castles Relay – Keep reading
nThe Welsh Castles Relay Race will take place this year on June 9th and June 10th
n Stage 1 starts on a Saturday morning at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales and stage 20 finishes Sunday afternoon close to the castle at Cardiff, South Wales.
n The 20 stages of the event cover more or less 208 miles with the individual stages varying between roughly 8 miles to 13 miles the ‘average’ being 10 miles.
n 6 out of the 20 stages are Mountain stages and as they suggest these are a ‘tad’ more of a challenge than the rest – with the first man and lady being crowned Kings and Queens of the Mountain. All stages - with the exception of the first two and the last three - will involve running hilly or undulating courses. This is part of what makes the Castles so special.
n The race snakes its way through the Welsh Mountain countryside with stage 10 finishing in Newtown Mid Wales early Saturday evening and stage 11 starting early on the Sunday morning.
nWhat makes it special?
n Competitors, support teams, spectators, friendly locals, the beautiful scenery, the overnight stop, the variable weather, the camaraderie, the awesome Drovers, the mercifully short stage 9, the views over Dolgellau estuary, the cowbells, the horns, it goes on…!
nThere is also a race within a race as WADAC take on Liswerry Runners for the Dragon Trophy.
nDo I need to do the full weekend?
n
nNo – if you can only make it for one of the days or even for only a part then you are still welcome to run. However it is much more fun to follow the race for both days if possible.
nIs there transport?
n
nYes – the organisers encourage teams to use shared transport to minimise congestion and pollution on the route. The club subsidises minbus transport which leaves on Friday and returns Sunday evening after the finish. A contribution is asked for to cover the fuel.
nDo I need to sort out accommodation?
n
nYes – but in the past we have managed to source camping and caravan accommodation together. This makes Friday and Saturday evening’s a real team social event
nTeams
n
nThere are four categories: open, veterans, ladies and business house. Each year the race is over-subscribed but in the past we have been fortunate to get two teams registered – we would very much like to do the same again this year:
nThe plan is to apply for an Open Team and a Ladies Team
n
nSo this is the important bit!
nWe need at least 40 runners – one per stage – and it is strongly advised to have reserves ready, in case of any last minute pull outs due to injury etc.
nNo-one may run more than one stage.
nRunners should be 18+ years with a few shorter stages suitable for 16-17 years (in accordance with UK Athletic rules). This year the organisers have stressed the need for participants to compete within the stage cut off times. On average this means being able to run at least 9 minute miles on hilly (road) terrain.
n
nPlease commit the dates to your running diary and sign up as soon as the online registration is opened – WADAC needs you. In the rare event of there being too many runners for places, selection will be based upon factors such as previous experience, running speed and when you signed up.
n
nEntries will be £40 per person, payable on entry including a technical T-shirt.
nOr £25 if you do not want the T-shirt.
n
nPlease feel free to ask any questions by speaking directly with Sam or Andy Parkinson or via wcr@wadac.org.uk
n
nMore information can be found on www.lescroupiersrunningclub.or... (see Welsh Castles Relay section under Race Pages)
nAndy & Sam Parkinson