Rhayadar Round the lakes

Report by Sam Harper

In 2016-17 I attempted to up my running to include longer distances. I had been running for a good few years by then and ticked over nicely, but other members of the club had started running further distances and I didn’t want to get left behind.

Rhayadar has always been a family favourite place to visit – I have photos of myself and a two week old Alec (second son), with the backdrop of water falling over the Cavan Coch Dam – and it is the place where I first found out about Croft Ambrey Running Club having visited there on a day when Round the Lakes was taking place and spotted it on a running vest. I looked up the club when I got home and then joined a couple of months later – must have been in 2010. So with all that history, Round the Lakes was my first choice of a long distance run and I trained hard in the preceding months.

Alas, 2017 was not to be the introduction to longer distance running that I had planned. It was 20miles at that time and my overriding memory of it was that the uphill went well at the start but was rapidly followed by severe stomach cramping and queueing for overflowing portaloos with an incredibly upset somach and plotting all the way around which hedge I would be able to hide behind to avoid embarrasment! From then on I have not entered another race where I would have to fuel or even drink water as I run and half marathons have been the longest I have run since then.

This is a popular race every year with Croft Members and it is not hard to see why – stunning views a runable route and fantastic support. So, stomach issues now feeling like a long way behind me, I entered to run it in 2025. But the start of 2025 did not go to plan. Hamstring tendonitis struck me down in late 2024 and it took me months to recover – so I sold my place and felt miserable for the next few months.

But 2026 is a whole new ball game for my running. Feeling the best I have done for years, I entered again and have finally put my nemesis to bed! I was very anxious in the run up but had put in the miles of training and strength and conditioning. Still a little anxious about getting stomach issues – I had studied the route well and had found out where all the toilet stops were. My aim – get to the end without embarrassing myself and without getting injured.

I also persuaded two of my sons to come along and run and make another family day out of it – so there were three Harpers at the start line on a cold Saturday morning – none of us sure how we were going to pace it or who would cross the finish line first. There was a fantastic turnout of 22 Croft Runners for the 30k and 9 for the 10k – it was the first race of the 2026 club championships and it was great to have so many familiar faces there.

The start area at the Smithfield Market in the town of Rhayadar was race central – registration just across the road at the leisure centre. There was portaloos a plenty – no queuing at all so no stress there at all! There were also a few stalls and hot food venues – something to look forward to after the run.

The 10k runners set off first – the route taking them along the road to the visitors centre before turning back along the cycle path on the same finish that the 30k would also take back into the town. I don’t personally know the ins and outs of how their race went but there were some good times for the Croft runners and a prize for Miles for winning his age category.

Miles Davis – 45:43 – 1st Open V55
Richard Coltart – 48:08 – 3rd Open V45
Tori Dickinson – 01:01:25
Amy Purvin – 01:02:19
Vanessa Bowers – 01:02:35 – 3rd FV40
Mike Hayward – 01:03:09
Sue Purvin – 01:03:26
Nicola Luscott – 01:04:35
Frank Luscott – 01:09:08 – 2nd Open V65

The 30k runners set off 15 minutes later, downhill through the town surrounded by runners and cheering crowds, before taking a right hand turn and the steady uphill of the toughest 5km of the route. I was very unsure how to pace the whole run to be honest and decided on a strategy of trying not to walk and to stay well watered and fueled – I had brought my own, not wanting to risk the effect a sugar rush of unexpected gels or sweets might offer.

My strategy worked well, I had no stomach issues and kept a fairly even pace. I thought I might stick with Alec and kept him is sight for a few kilometers but he gradually pulled away. As is the way in most races, I was amongst a crowd of faces who soon became familiar who got past me at some points and I got past them at others. Paul was the only other Croftie who I saw while running – first getting past me up the hill and then getting past me again further along – I must have passed him as somepoint, but I think I was very focused on just keeping going and it didn’t register. I didn’t see him again!

The weather was perfect for the race – overcast with no rain – but it was a bit chilly for the spectators, so a huge thanks for all the supporters who came along and encouraged. Mike B was near the top of the first long uphill pull that seemed to go on forever and then spotted again at the footbridge at the 25k mark. Huw and Stuart were at the top of the hill, giving very encouraging shouts, the Preece family were there at several points along the way with sweets and the offer of offloading any kit and Cath was also on hand with Jelly babies and encouragement. So great to see you all!

Mike shouted out to me as I passed him on the bridge at the 25km point that Alec was struggling and I wondered out loud if I would catch him up, and I did with 3km left to go. I was sad to see him walking and shouted out that he better start running or I was going to beat him to the finish line. He ran with me for a little while and I had visions of us crossing the finish line together, but he had gone off too fast – and I found out later under fuelled and didn’t have the energy to keep running to the line and by this point I had a sub 3hr finish in my sites so, no Mother of the year prize for me – I carried on running and left him behind.

It was great to have my son Max and my husband shouting for me at the finish line – helping to give me a last final push up the the hill – even managing to get past another runner – great for my confidence! I managed to finish in under 3 hours – as, only a few minutes later, did Alec.

It was such a buzz to have finally put my demons behind me and finish the run strong. I was able to get some warm things on and watch a few more Croft runners come home and be there for Isaac (son number 3) to finish his first ever race – I think possibly he could have chose an easier one, but he did it and I am very proud of both of my boys.

Well done to all the Croft Runners but especially Sam Juson – he led from the start and was running on his own for the whole route – an amazing performance from a runner who just keeps on getting better with every race he runs. He was the overall winner by an incredible 6mins and 22seconds and is now the owner of the course record – something that looks likely to stay forever as next years route looks set to be changed to take away the little loop section into Elan Village and across the bridges.

Sam Juson – 01:45:19 – 1st Overall and Course Record 

Eric Apperley – 01:55:43
Mia Davies – 02:23:10
Simon Norwood – 02:25:20
Steve Partridge – 02:27:35
Henry Eastman – 02:35:32
Joe Lynch – 02:37:21
Nina Walmsley – 02:44:32 – 2nd FV50
Kelly Bowen – 02:44:44
Paul Parker – 02:46:49
Sam Harper – 02:53:58
Jim Bowers – 02:54:46
Howard Verran – 03:01:44
Christina Pinto – 03:11:21
Oli Cameron-Swan – 03:29:34
Janet Hill – 03:33:24 – 1st FV70
Ingrid Mason – 03:35:15
Gemma Davies – 03:45:16
Anna Bromley – 03:49:01
Alison Benwell – 03:49:11
Michele Parker – 04:00:09 
Emma Jones – 04:08:17

Alec Harper 2.57.43
Isaac Harper 4.13.21