Details
Dates: November 19th 2017
Time: 11am
Race Venue: Crickhowell Sports Centre, New Road, Crickhowell. NP8 1AW
A 9 mile ‘out and back’ trail race located in the beautiful heart of the Black Mountains starting and finishing in the pretty borders town of Crickhowell.
The Route
The race route is 9 miles and flagged, undulating and very scenic as it winds in and out of ancient woodland along the gorgeous fast flowing Grwyne Fawr river, famous for its salmon.
It is an out and back route turning round at the half way village of Llanbedr outside the church where there will be a water station.
Most of the race is off road with just a couple of stretches on tarmac. There are a couple of short steeper descents on grass.
Trail shoes are recommended depending on your personal preference. Please do bring a waterproof running jacket – if the weather is cold or wet we will make this mandatory kit to take with you on the race. We advise that you pack and bring in the car with you: hat, gloves, long sleeved thermal top, tights. You might not need them but be prepared – warm kit is no good if it’s at home. November as we all know can be warm and autumnal or cold and snowy.
Please note we are not operating a cut-off time; it’s important that people feel encouraged to participate. But – this is a run and not a walk with a bit of intermittent jogging! If you don’t think you can complete the route please be sensible and drop out at the halfway point and tell the marshals. You will be able to get a lift back to the event centre from the half way point.
Venue & Location
The race event centre is the Crickhowell Sports Centre, New Road (A4077), Crickhowell. NP8 1AW. This is also the location of the secondary school.
Plenty of parking close to the event centre is available – please park where the car parking marshals indicate.
There is no official ‘manned’ bag drop inside the event centre.
There are showers at the event centre.
Pre and post race drinks and homemade refreshments will be available at the event centre. Tea and coffee will be free to all race participants.
There will be homemade cake and & homemade soup & roll available for a small charge.
Crickhowell is a pretty and charming small town close to the lovely River Usk walk – there’s plenty to entertain the non-runners in the family while you do the race!
Number Collection
Please collect your number and Si timing card on arrival from the desks in the main hall. The desks will be labelled alphabetically on surname. When you finish the race you will need to bring your card back to the main hall and hand it in for your time to be recorded. If you do not return your timing card at the end of the race you will be charged £30 – and you won’t get a position or a time or a finishing prize!
Race START and FINISH
The race will start at 11 a.m. sharp
Please note – the race does not start and finish at the event centre. The start location will be well indicated by signs from registration. Allow a 5 – 10 minute walk from the race HQ.
The race will START and FINISH just behind the Beaufort St Car Park (NP8 1AE) behind the tourist information (Crickhowell Resource & Information Centre).
The start and finish are in a different location from the event centre is because it would be dangerous to take the race across the busy A40.
Repeat: allow 5-10 mins time to get from the event centre to the start!
Please take care and be aware of cars on the initial section of the course and when you are on the final 500m-road run-in to the finish. Please don’t wear in-ear headphones during the race. Please be aware that this is a trail race – although we have made an effort to indicate hazards, not ALL hazards such a tree roots can be indicated. Be aware; run safely.
Only follow the flagged route please – no shortcuts.
Unfortunately, no dogs are permitted in the race.
Please allow time to get from the race HQ to the race start for 11 am.
Entry
The entry fee is £15 (affiliated) £17 (non-affiliated).
[Please note – the £2 is an insurance fee paid to Welsh Athletics if you are not affiliated to a club]
SPORTident manages our entries – you will be directed by clicking the race registration on this page. You can check your entry has been received and processed by looking at the Current Entries list on this page.
The closing date for online entries is 5 pm Monday November 13th 2017.
The minimum age for entry is 18.
Please collect you race number and timing chip on arrival from the designated desks.
If you have a medical condition please write this on the reverse of your number.
NOTE: Entries on the day will be taken but there is a limit of 300 runners. If the limit is reached we cannot take entries. On the day entries are: £20(affiliated) £22 (non-affiliated).
Prizes
The prize giving will be at 2.15pm prompt in the Dining Hall at the main event centre.
No prizes will be posted out or can be collected by a friend – if you don’t collect your prize it will go to some lucky winner in the spot prizes!
There will be prizes for:
- Women Senior: First, Second, Third
- Men Senior: First, Second, Third
- WV & MV 050: First
- WV & MV 060: First [sponsored by Griffiths]
- WV & MV 070: First
- Female & Male Team prizes (First 3 runners to count).
There will also be 10 spot prizes, so do stay for the prize giving as this could be you!
There will be a finishing prize for each competitor.
Please note: If you are fast enough to win more than one prize category, you get both prizes (eg. 3rd male and 1st V40).
Course Records
There are no course records yet as this is a new race route for 2017.
Make a weekend of it:
There’s a great range of great accommodation in the area – Checked personally by Ruth are:
Belinda Davies has two lovely cottages. http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/gaer-skirrid/
Alex Yorke has three different places for a one night stay in a stunning location near Crickhowell: Gracie (a modernised 1950’s caravan) Black Mountains Hideaway (double & twin room) – details on Airbnb
Rona has the immaculate ‘Quarry Man’s Cottage’ at Bwlch with a double room for one night. (Airbnb).
The Star Bunkhouse (http://www.starbunkhouse.com) has great budget accommodation close to the event centre for one night stays.
Short stays are available at River Sound: https://www.facebook.com/Riversound-bed-and-breakfast-943428552371575/ and Country Chic cottages: https://www.facebook.com/countrychiccottages/ as well as Elderflower Cottage: https://www.facebook.com/Elderflower-Cottage-1746608502220574/
There’s Airbnb Crickhowell area offering a very good range of one and two night places to stay; or for hotels and local B&B’s the Crickhowell Tourist Information Centre has a good list: http://www.visitcrickhowell.co.uk/where-to-stay/
Tuckedaway Places have stunning and unusual properties in the the Brecon Beacons close to Crickhowell. (https://www.tuckedawayplaces.com).
Race Director & Contact
Ruth Pickvance is the Race Director.
Ruth is a very experienced runner on road and fell. She’s been British Fellrunning Champion and has represented GB and England as well as being one of the first Salomon sponsored Skyrunners as well as a top finisher in several road marathons. Many of you will know her from her time organising the Atlantic College 10k. Ruth has also completed the RunBritain accredited Race Directors Course.
If you need to contact her, email is preferable: Ruth@element-active.co.uk. Or phone 07432 192991
Summary – Most important points:
- Allow time to get to the race start from the event centre (5 – 10 mins)
- ONLY follow the flagged race route to avoid disqualification – no shortcuts please
- Return you Si timing card to the event centre when you finish to get your time, position and finishing prize.
- Bring a waterproof to the race in case it’s mandatory kit
