Welsh Castles Relay - sign up open

Sign up for the Welsh Castles Relay has now opened. This year we have 2 teams entered (mixed open and mixed vets). The aim is to keep both teams as close to possible 50/50 male/female: Register here

S’mae (hi)

WCR (10-11) June is a fun-filled weekend that promises fantastic running, breath-taking views, overwhelming camaraderie and more than a handful of castles. Most importantly it’s a great way to meet new Serpies and make more running friends.

This event is open to anyone who will be able to comfortably run 10 miles by June (shorter stages are available) and definitely no need to speak Welsh! When you sign up please indicate any stage preferences (some of the WCR regulars may use this chance to go after a particular stage win / record) and your rough pace for 10 miles.

Sign up here It will be great to see lots of new names appearing.

The race starts in Caernarfon on Saturday morning and ends in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon with an awards presentation (a.k.a drinks and picnic in the park). 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. There are ten stages on Saturday and ten on Sunday. It is all run on roads and footpaths and the terrain varies from flat(ish) to straight uphill depending on your stage.

More information

If you have any questions please get in touch and hopefully see many of your names appearing on the sign-up sheet.

Contact: welshcastles@serpentine.org.uk

Register here before 15th May (we must declare runners in advance)

If you have any stage preferences highlight these on sign-up. As ever taking 45 Serpies round Wales takes a lot of support – if you are willing drive a mini-bus (no special licence required) over the weekend please do volunteer and mention when you sign up.

Remember: Keep 10th-11th June free in your diary (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.

The weekend in numbers

  • 2 days (10-11 June), 20 stages, 211 miles, from Caernarfon to Cardiff in a staggered relay (everyone starts each leg at the same time).
  • 2 Serpie teams - 40+ Serpies of all abilities. 66 running teams from across the UK (and overseas) for the 35th Welsh Castles Relay
  • The route passes within 2 miles of: 22 Castles, 16 Forts (Roman or otherwise), 2 Mottes & Bailey and 5 Mottes. Plus a few beaches!
  • 4 or 5 Serpie support vehicles and 8-10 kind Serpie drivers

Logistics

Most Serpies will travel to Caernarfon on Friday 9th June and stay in a B&B ready for the race start at 10am on the 10th. If needed on Saturday 10th June, more Serpies will travel from London to meet the race around stage 5 or 6. For any Serpies that need to it is possible to travel back to London during Saturday after your stage 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.

Taking over 40 Serpies to Wales is a major logistical challenge. We'll be taking at least four, and probably five vehicles to Wales including so we need drivers. Please volunteer to drive if you can.

Diolch (thanks)!

Submitted: 11 April 2017

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