Report by Sam Harper
The Pembrokeshire coastal path is a stunning place to run and a favourite of Huw’s so he got in touch with Endurance life a few months ago and arranged a club discount and a few of us took up the opportunity to travel to this beautiful part of the world to take part in either the 10k, Half Marathon and Ultra option.
With it not being particularly local – it was a three hour journey – some decided to make a trip out of it and stayed for a few days in a holiday cottage or camper van. Tori and I travelled up the night before and made use of the local travellodge and Neil and Carol who are seasoned farmers and used to getting up before sunrise had an early start and drove down for the day.
The marathon and ultra events started at Little Haven going along the coast and then looped back. The 10k runners and half marathoners were bused to start points at staggered times for a direct run along the coastal path. It was all planned out by the organisers perfectly to allow for minimal passing of runners in either direction which may have been a bit tricky on some sections of the path which at times were quite narrow along cliff edges.
It did mean for the 10k and half marathoners that the sea was on the left with some glorious views along the whole route of the race.
Tori and Carol tackled the 10k – which in reality was over 12k, approximately 7.5 miles. They caught the bus from Little Haven at 8.40am to be bused up to coast to the start line.
Tori and Tom had a great race – this was the first race Tori has done for over twelve months and Tom has had a bit of a break recently and the sea air must have done them some good! Tori finished in 1.32.40 and Tom 1.32.47 – both good enough to win age category prizes of a voucher for another event!
I took part in the half marathon and my takehome is to read the pre-race information properly. I arrived waiting for the bus and Liza asked me where my backpack was. I had read some of the pre-race information and seen that there was a water station with refreshments so did not think I needed to carry anything, but the race information stated a requirement for full kit. This did lead to a bit of anxiety about not being allowed to run – but no body approached me about it – and then at the water station all the cups had been used and there was only bottle refills and I was too worried about being disqualified to ask, so ended up running the whole race without water. Not ideal.
The route was amazing. The constant sea on the left and view down the coast I don’t think could be beat. It was undulating but nothing too arduous comparing it to other coastal paths. The tretcherous bit was it being on cliff edges and the path in places was very narrow, rutted and had prominent stones. It’s going to be one to remember for me because I managed to trip multiple times and fell to the ground three times causing quite a few bruises, scratches and aches and pains – not enough to stop me and I only needed a bit of a clean up from the first aid at the end, but enough to slow me down and make it a hard slog to the finish.
We had some really great Croft results.
Neil Powell was first Croftie home in 18th place overall. Pleased to have run so well after a break from competitive running in a time of 1.58.59. Liza Austin was first Croft lady home and first in her age category in 2.20.34.
Other Croft results:
Steve Partridge 2.03.39 (25), Stuart Austin 2.10.25 (39), Hayley Colebatch 2.42.10 (126), Lisa Gray 2.42.12 (127), Sam Harper 2.46.27.(132), Huw Williams 3.11.28 (169), Clare Preece 3.24.44 (174), Theresa Jones 3.24.47 (175), Roland Preece 3.24.48 (176).
Nigel Taylor was the only Croft runner to take on the real challenge with the 34.7 mile ultra. Setting off from race HQ at 9am to follow the route with the sea on his right to take a couple of inland loops and then head back to the finish along the same route at the other races with the coast on the left. He was spotted by a few of us at the start line for the half, so had started off at a cracking pace. He finished in 10th place in a time of 5.28.18. Well done Nigel, very impressive running.
Special mention for Owen and Scott Jones, who while not members are still part of the Croft family – Owen did the 10k in 1.31.26 (43) and Scott completed the half in 1.53.27 (9th and first U20). Well done to both.
