WELSH CASTLES RELAY SAT/SUN 13th/14th
JUNE 2009
Caerphilly Castle
With all 3 vehicles missing the M56 Junction to North
Wales the weekend could have gone one of two ways – fantastic or a complete
disaster. As it turned out it was the former and everything ran smoothly from
the runners, though a few did wobble, to Sunday breakfast, to the magnificent
finish in the grounds of Cardiff Castle.
This is an event that has to experienced and the full
weekend package is the way to do it. The organisation by Les Croupiers is
flawless and the logistics have been honed over the years so once again full
marks to Alan T, Richard B and the Les C Organising Committee.
The BWFAC contingent rallied to the cause yet
again and the feedback from the squad was all positive. Even Liz and Andrea
said there were no complaints but who would dare!!!
Caernarfon Castle
Thanks go to the drivers, the chefs and everyone who
contributed to the weekend which passes all to quickly as 20 runners cover the
200+ miles from Caernarfon Castle to Cardiff Castle via Criccieth, Harlech,
Barmouth, Newtown, Builth Wells, Brecon, Caerphilly to name but a few of the
places en-route.
Criccieth Castle
The performance of the trip must have been John
Wright’s run on the very tough Stage 14 up to Drover’s Arms, which was a new
club record and was so close to that coveted Monarch’s stage win. Bev Wright
was 2nd woman into Cardiff Castle whilst everyone else had their own
personal battles with other runners, the weather and even their own lack of fitness.
The support from the other competing teams was as
magnificent as usual with water, sponges and support all the way. The presence
of Lytham and Wesham also makes for some friendly rivalry and banter along the
way.
Harlech Castle
This was the 10th time a team from NFAC/BWFAC
had competed and full marks to Gary Johnston was has 10/10 whilst Nick Hume has
9, but has travelled to all 10 as team manager. For those who don’t know the
team selection follows what is now a well-established policy and in discussions
with other clubs it is broadly similar to theirs. The team is not elitist but
is based on support for their club during the year, those who have a full
record of appearances, old hands and hopefully some newcomers. The final
selection has to remain with the designated team organiser and runners will be
matched to a stage suitable to their level though of course this is not always
possible nor can all 20 run on the Saturday.
Cardiff Castle
If anyone wishes to learn more about the Welsh Castles
first hand, speak to those who participated, read the websites and then
consider if you wish to be part of this great event next year and answer the
call for runners in February 2010. I have no doubt that BWFAC will seek
to enter at least one team when the entry form appears.
Nick Hume
* * * * *
Feedback from the clubs
Alan & Richard
On behalf of Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC please pass on our thanks to your Organising Committee and yourselves for another excellent
event which embodies the true spirit of club athletics at its very best.
Have a well earned rest before the planning starts for 2010
Team Captains
Thank you for your club's support during the weekend as the encouragement,
water and sponges on offer throughout the race were very welcome and I know
helped many of my team mates especially on some of the warmer stages.
I believe that events like these must continue to flourish despite all
the attempts at even greater regulation and no doubt many of you think the same
and have nothing but praise for all the hard work Les C put into this event.
Regards
Nick
BWFAC
Richard and Alan,
On behalf of
Freedom 55, from the Heathrow departure lounge, I would like to thank you and
everyone involved:
For letting an
unknown Canadian entry from an ad hoc club participate.
It wasn't a picnic getting the Cabot Trail
Relay veterans from Canada and other points together to arrive at this
tremendous event, with injuries, the economy and conflicts of various sorts
with which to contend, but it was well worth it. (We owe special thanks to
Denbigh Harriers for filling in blanks, some at relatively short notice).
Here, for those interested, is the site for
the Cabot Trail Relay: http://www.cabottrailrelay.com/ If
anyone would like to know more, please send us an email. It is an equally
unforgettable experience, over 24 hours with stages in the middle of the night,
its remoteness limiting the number of top level teams...a chance for WCR veterans
to collect some trophies perhaps?
This has been a tremendous experience for all
of us...and who knows, perhaps we will do it again some time.
Best wishes,
Chris Stoate
Hello Richard and Alan,
I would also like to thank you on behalf of Spa Striders ladies team. On only
our second year of running the Welsh Castles we are still learning the
logistics of getting 20 runners around the course. It's certainly a major
achievement for a small club as ourselves with a little over 100 members. We
only had one non-runner - unfortunately her car broke down on the slip road of
the M4 and she couldn't leave it. This is where support plays a most important
part! We will take that on board for next year.
We had a great weekend, the camaraderie, the support from all the other teams
and the weather of course, was absolutely brilliant. All of the feedback from
my team members has been nothing but positive. I can safely say this is my
favorite event of the year,
Thanks to you all,
Vicki Smith
Spa Striders
Hi Richard & Alan (& the rest of your
support team),
On behalf of Vale Royal A.C. Thank you for
organising another fantastic weekend. Not sure how you do it!
It is by far the best race we do, as a club
each year, the support, enthusiasm, team spirit and slickness of organisation,
with the event, are second to none. This was the fifth year we have competed
and we always have the expectation that something will go wrong, a runner
will miss their start, a new runner might not think its as good as we've made
it out to be, or even that the weather might not be very good, but none of
these have happened yet, so far so good!! The competition to be the noisiest,
most supportive team is a tough one to win, but we like to think we're up
there! and will keep striving to be champions of that particular category! I
had the pleasure of running the last leg this year and, what a great moment it
was coming through the Castles gates, the noise was unbelievable (the wig
may have helped!) but please thank your club mates for all that
support.
Team Captains I hope you don't mind but I'm
going to ask for your help now if possible.
Together with fellow club member Mark
Thornley, who ran the second leg for us this year, I am trying to raise money
for charity by cycling from Lands End to John o'Groats. We are doing it to
raise money for Dystonia, which is a form of Parkinson's Disease, as Mark's dad
is a sufferer.
Please take the time, if you can, to have a
look (and hopefully a laugh) at our blog which is up & running!
http://valeroyalseniors.webs.com/apps/blog/
and any contributions would be gratefully
received at
http://www.justgiving.com/lejog-bigmarkandgoffy
Please can you let your club mates know, if
possible, it's a very deserving cause.
Thanks again - to everyone involved.
Dave Gough
Hi Richard and Alan
I would too like to say on behalf of Penarth and Dinas Runners thanks for
another fantastic event. A big well done for all the organisers in making it a
successful weekend and of course, supplying the sunshine once again!!
Thank you also for the mention in the introduction of the event programme. You’re absolutely right, it is an ‘achievement and
a half’ to get a team of 20 together every year with our small club but, we
always get lots of enthusiasm from the members to run a leg in the event. This
year, we even had members coming up just to support and take in the atmosphere.
Whilst we never reach very high up on the results table, we always thoroughly
enjoy the weekend and the whole “buzz” that comes with it. I mean, where
else would you get to run through and experience such beautiful scenery and get
so much support and encouragement from fellow runners.
I would like to say another big thank you to all the other clubs who provided
support along the way, along with water, sponges and entertainment. P&D
Runners always thought we won the prize for the most animated and noisy supporters
along the route but, there was some real competition this year!!! We
loved the team with the drums, tambourines etc etc, made us want to dance along
the way!
Enjoy the rest and see you all again next year hopefully!!!
Emma
Penarth and Dinas Runners :)
Hi Nick,
I agree with your e-mail. It was a really great weekend! I e-mailed Alan
and Richard earlier to thank them for all their hard work.
I was very grateful for the water and sponges when I was running up the
mountain to Drovers Arms! I had a really nice to chat to John Wright from your
club, at the end of leg 14 (Drovers) I believe John finished
a minute or so ahead of me.
I look forward to seeing you at the 2010 Welsh Castles Relay if not before.
Best regards
Dave Coales
Team Bath AC
Chairman