Welsh Castles Relay - registration closes on 20th May

We have three teams: men, women and (mixed) vets. If you'd like to take part this year please register your interest here as soon as possible.

Normally we have a waiting list of members trying to get a place in this race, one of the best weekend trips Serpies take part in but we only have 46 people signed up as of today so are currently 14 short of the required number for three teams. If you've never done Welsh Castles you really should put your name on the list; it's one of those 'signature', 'must-do' races for Serpies! Click that button below now...

The race starts in Caernarfon on Saturday morning and ends in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon with an awards presentation once the final team has finished. It consists of 20 stages ranging in distance from 8 to 14 miles passing many Welsh Castles in some challenging terrain and each team has 20 runners who each run one stage over the course of the weekend, with ten stages on Saturday and ten on Sunday. It is all run on roads and footpaths - not off road.

Please sign up if you'd like to take part. In a team of twenty the standard required even for a winning team is far wider than you might imagine. It's our strength in depth that gives us the edge. Note that vets are W35/M40.

Team Captains

Men: Simon Barrett
Women: Karen Gregory
Vets: Lars Olsen
Contact: welshcastles@serpentine.org.uk

Register herebefore 20th May (we must declare runners in advance)

Please note that registering does not guarantee a place on a team as we will be trying to get the best three teams to Wales. Volunteering to drive probably does guarantee a place! Keeping 5th-7th June free in your diary also helps (you'd be amazed how many sign up each year then forget to keep the weekend free!) The team captains will be in regular contact about the make-up of the teams over the coming weeks.

Logistics

Around 40-45 Serpies will travel to Caernarfon on Friday 5th June to be ready for the race start at 10am on the 6th. On Saturday 6th June, more Serpies will travel from London to meet the race around stage 5 or 6. Some Serpies will head back to London during Saturday once they have raced. Everyone stays in B&Bs near the half-way point in Newtown. On Sunday it's an early start for the first stage and the race finishes in Cardiff at tea-time. It's likely a few Serpies running later stages will join the teams during Sunday.

Taking over 60 Serpies to Wales is a major logistical challenge and I'm indebted to Liz Wynn (again!) for being the lead organiser, sorting out accommodation and logistics. We'll be taking at least five, and probably six vehicles to Wales including at least three minibuses so we need drivers. Please volunteer to drive if you can.

Ian Hodge
Competition & Team Events Coordinator
ihodge@serpentine.org.uk

Submitted: 16 April 2015

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