Taking to the trails

Slim pickings for a report this time, with a few fleeting mentions (please do share results and info about the events you’re taking part in).

Radyr and Morganstown Trail half – 7th May

Saturday 7th of May was a nice warn day – so NOT ideal possibly for a hilly half marathon taking in The Garth and the woodland above Castell Coch… As part of the annual Radyr and Morganstown Festival there are a couple of low-key races organised – a half and a really tough full marathon that took runners nearly 5 hours to complete this year.

We decided that the Half was enough thank you….and certainly the 2,200 ft of climb that was involved in that one was enough for both of us.

Starting and finishing at the Cardiff Harlequins Rugby Club near Whitchurch, the race takes you through lovely trails in the Taff Valley just north of Cardiff, up above Radyr, over to the Garth, flying down the steep bit to Gwaelod and then back up through the bluebell woods at the back of Castell Coch.

It’s a very low-key event – with only a 100 or so in the Half – and whilst pretty well marshalled and signposted – suspect the number of signs wouldn’t have met the high “Steve Brace” standards – there were a couple of places where you might have done a few extra yards of trail.

We were lucky this year – the weather on the day was perfect and it had been dry in the proceeding weeks. If it had been wetter then this would have been a real challenge – as there were plenty of trails where you were thankful it wasn’t muddy.

Nice wooden medals to finish with – Gareth coming home in 2:12 and Gina not long after.

Gina Hardman

Gareth Hardman

Notable mentions

We’re aware of a few other events. Clare Hughes cycling Carten (100 or so miles from Cardiff to Tenby). There was some multi-sport action for Rob, Dave, and Steve over the half ironman distance.

And our young athletes were competing in the early season YDL.

Most recent parkrun results

A few first-place finishes at parkrun this Saturday – Katy Griffiths at Penallta, Leigh James at Mole Valley, and Craig Burrows at Milford Waterfront

Let us know if we’ve missed your result, and if you’re up for writing a report sometime – it’s a team effort.

Race report by Gareth Hardman, brought together by Leigh James