Skirting the beautiful Clwydian Hills, the route meanders above the Vale of Clwyd before runners start to climb up onto the Offa’s Dyke footpath which brings them finally to the summit of Moel Famau. Covering a full half marathon distance of 13.1 miles / 21.1 km the route includes 2500ft/750m of ascent, the majority of which comes in the last challenging 10km.
To ensure the best chance of all runners being on the slopes of Moel Famau at sunset, you will be asked for your approximate race times for any previous half trail marathons, 10k or parkruns on your entry form. For those running as a pair or in a group please give the slowest runners times. Of course if I get my calculations wrong or you run much faster or slower than expected then you may be a little early or late over the final summit – hopefully you will forgive me.
Sunset on Saturday the 13th September is 7.32pm. So race start times will be from circa 4pm for the slower runners until 6pm for the faster ones. If I manage to get the timing right then all runners will be on the high level section between Foel Fenlli & Moel Famau – the first planned Mass Race Summiting in history – what could possibly go wrong!
Race HQ
The race will be hosted in Ysgol y Foel school hall / field. Registration from 2pm until 5pm. Ensure you arrive a good hour prior to your allotted start time to allow time for parking and registration. There will be a kit dump available. Watch this space for changing-room info. Toilets will be available but no showering facility – well we may find a hose pipe for outside!
Hot & cold drinks will be availabe prior to the race. It is expected that some food & drink will be available post race – more details to follow.
Parking
We have arranged a field to be available for parking if the weather/ground conditions are suitable. The field will be signed and parking marshals will be present. The field is approx. 5-10 minute walk from the school (Race HQ).
Mandatory Kit
- Headtorch (fully charged – spare torch or spare batteries if possible)
- Whistle (to attract attention in case of injury)
- 500ml drink (refillable) – water & snacks will be available at 3 of the checkpoints
- Foil bivvy bag
- Fell or trail running shoes (the course is not suitable for road trainers, flip-flops, deep-sea dive boots)
- Waterproof top & bottoms may be required dependant on forecast/local conditions (this will be detailed in final race brief sent 36 hours prior to race)
Advisory Kit
- Mobile phone (fully charged in waterproof case or bag)
Race Route
More to follow…..
Checkpoints
There will be 3 main aid checkpoints where water refills & race snacks will be available – CP1 Moel Arthur, CP3 Llangynhafal & CP5 Bwlch Penbarras.
All runners will need to scan timing bands at all 6 checkpoints.
Additional marshals will be on course (road crossings, etc). Please follow all instructions of the marshals.