Welcome
to the opening round of the 2013 Welsh Ultra Running and Trail Marathon Series. We have
noticed some familiar stalwarts coming back for more and also some
new members attempting one of our events for the very first time! All
are welcome!
We
would also like to extend our gratitude to our event sponsors
Vivobarefoot & GU Energy. There will be several Vivobarefoot
runners taking part and we are incredibly excited to see how their
shoes work in this testing environment. Energy nutritional
specialists GU have provided gels which will be available at some of
the checkpoints to keep you going.
As
many of you are probably aware we have restructured our race calendar
to make it ‘fit the seasons’ a little better, we kick off with a
brisk 33 cleverly disguised as a 30 miler with over 2000 meters of
elevation.
The
response has been astounding so much so that we upgraded the parking facilities enabling us to increased entries which then promptly sold
out. We know that some of you are on the waiting list in the hope of
getting a place and if there are any late cancellations then we are
doing our best to fill the gaps on a first come first served basis.
Talking
of seasons, a few folk have mentioned “remember last year – it
was roasting!” As we speak now the icy wind is blowing snow and
other debris outside. The Black Mountains in the back
ground ironically rather white at the moment! But anything can happen
…. Last week was a balmy 18 degrees. Either way be prepared!
You
may have noticed that our website too has changed. The pixies in the
background have been beavering away doing their stuff and we hope
that you think it’s an improvement over the old one. We hope it is
clearer and easier to use and provides more information than ever
before, but it is a constantly developing beast so please feel free
to chip in if you think something is missing and we will do our best
to include.
Message
for “Old” People! (Officially over the age of 45!)
We have
changed our prize categories slightly for 2013. There will no longer
be a team event in the 2013 series. Please see our adventure race
series for team orientated stuff. However due to popular demand for
our ultra series there will be a ‘super’ veteran’s category and
prize pool. We had great difficulty in deciding what was “old”
and where the line should be drawn often influenced by our DOB! But
general consensus appeared to be between 40 and 50 and so after much
debate decided that if you are over 45 by 31/12/2013 then you qualify
for our “super vet” category. Please note that if you enter as a
‘super vet’ then you only qualify for vet prizes and not both
categories. If you want to remain inconspicuous, in self denial or
destined to prove that age is no barrier then you are entitled to
race in the open category regardless of your age.
Much
of the following information is already on the website but just in
case here it is again:
Venue:
Cwmdu Caravan & Camp Site, Nr Crickhowell, NP8 1RU
Directions:
Cwmdu Caravan &
Camp Site is located four miles north of Crickhowell just off the
A479 Turn right at the Farmers Arms public house in the small village
of Cwmdu and follow the signs for 300m.
PLEASE
NOTE: While your SATNAV may bring you successfully to the area it may
NOT deliver you all the way to the campsite. Please follow the
"camping" road signs from the Farmers Arms public house for
the final 300m to the campsite.
Registration & Parking:
As
the event has grown our registration building will be the Old School
House at Cwmdu. This forms the boundary with the bottom corner of the
campsite and start finish area. There is limited parking at the front
of the school (but lots on the campsite). If you are popping by on
the Friday to register and then disappearing off again then it is
acceptable to use this school car park accessible straight from the
main road to park whilst you sort out your paperwork on
the Friday evening only. If you are
camping we would suggest you park up in the campsite first and then
pop through the “gap in the hedge” to register!
There
will be no parking at the school car
park on the Saturday morning. All cars
will be directed a further half a mile around to the campsite (as
above) on the Saturday morning irrespective of whether you are
staying there or not.
Registration times are:
Friday:
22nd 18:00 – 21:00 in Cwmdu School House
Saturday:
23rd 06:00 – 07:45 in Cwmdu School House
Please
can you make sure that you give enough time to park and register
– preferably not arriving at 07:44! In addition Chef Luffy will be
cooking superb breakfasts on the Saturday morning to set you up for
the day!
There will be 2 forms to fill out. If you want to be super organised
and save everyone time particularly on the Saturday morning then
please follow the links below and bring them already completed to
registration.
Both forms are required to enable you to race.
Please
make sure you have the kit as per the compulsory kit list - it really
is for your safety. The conditions in this mountainous terrain could
be anything and can change very quickly. Please don’t put us in the
embarrassing situation of telling you that you can’t race because
you haven’t got the correct equipment. Any questions or queries
regarding kit, please ask sooner rather than later. There will be
members of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team taking part, the last
thing they want is to have to cut their day short to rescue poorly
prepared individuals. It hasn't happened yet please don't be the
first :)
You
will receive numbers and a map on waterproof paper (similar to what
you see on the site) for checkpoint references etc. To clarify, this
isn’t a navigational event, but the map will be useful to pace yourself
and work out your water strategy etc. There will be signs or tape
where deemed necessary on the course, such as junctions.
Start:
Race
briefing is at 08:20 at the start line in the campsite.
The
start is at 08:30.
Finish:
Where you started!
Checkpoints:
The
ultra course will have five manned checkpoints on route, all have
plain bottled water available in 2 litre bottles. The trail marathon
will have 1 water stop which will be the same as CP 5. The position
of these checkpoints is as seen on the route maps here and here. It will also
be the case that the marshals at these checkpoints will need to
record your number as you pass through. It is requested that you have
your number clearly displayed at all times. This information is
recorded for your split times and more importantly your safety on the
hills. If you number is obscured please don’t make a number up
(which has happened in previous races) as it gives the organisation
team a massive headache as we end up scouring the hills to find a
missing person who happens to be enjoying a pint in the pub!
Competitors
must take care of their own trail food from the start. This is not a
supported event. Make sure you have enough food to last you the
endurance – there are no facilities anywhere on route.
The Route:
The
route is pretty demanding both in terms of hills (2000 meters of
elevation) and conditions under foot. There will be some sharp rates
of ascent and descent with some slippery sections present in places.
You will require a decent tread on whatever footwear you decide to
use. Poles may be useful for those that have some experience of using
them. (though not essential).
Time Restraints:
For the Ultra there
is a 16:30 cut off time at Checkpoint ‘Wozza or CP 4’ which must be adhered to in order to be allowed to continue the final leg across
open hill. Final cut off will be 19:30. Any ‘die hards’ still out
on the course at this time will politely be asked to retire.
If
you choose do retire before completion of the event, please do so
either at a checkpoint or inform a member of the organising team (contact
numbers printed on maps) of your intentions so that you can be
accounted for. Please, please, please do not just disappear as again
will be out on the hills trying to find you!
Food:
News
just in is that the “Luff Bus” has blown a head gasket and so
won’t be on site but Luffy has got around the problem (by taking
the kitchen out of the Bus as one does) so will be attending. If you
can support him then that would be fantastic and I’m sure he’ll
look after you with more than generous portions.
Luffy
will also be cooking breakfasts on the Saturday morning from 06:00
onwards for those keen to carbo load!
Other
Things:
Be
prepared for hills and mud (and then some
more!)
Please
take off muddy shoes before entering the local pub.
Be
nice to marshals (they have given up their valuable time to support
you). If you do have any grievances then please take that up with the
race organiser who will do his best to resolve any problems (Matt)
Remember
to smile!
Further
Info:
If you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to get in
touch (preferably not the night before) and or visit our Facebook
page where you can get advice from us and those that have taken part
in many of our events previously.
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