Wyedean Relays 14 August 2022
The Wyedean Relay is an off-road team event starting in Ross-on-Wye and finishing in Chepstow.
A team of 7 runners follow a route over beautiful countryside in the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.
This was our first Crickhowell Team Event – and it was very successful. The boiling temperatures made it very challenging for all the runners – but they stepped up and in our first event we took 2nd Place, beating some very established clubs with 3 times the membership of Crickhowell Runners – Well Done to everyone – Runners, organisers and supporters. Read what the team have to say about the day:
Leg 1 – 8.3kms, 262m Ross on Wye to Kerne Bridge – Tom Payne
Leg 1 of the relay. 5 miles in length and 1,025 ft elevation. Terrain a mixture of road, forestry track , field and woodland path. I did a reconnaissance of the route with my head of PR the Monday before the race as it was recommended. Race started at 8 am, everyone seemed well organised and friendly. The race organisers commented on my relaxed appearance with shoe laces not tied although I had my own safety pins. 8 am and we are off, my theory of go steady to gauge the competition straight out the window as everyone went hell for leather. First km on pavements out of Ross-on-Wye then a sudden climb up a hill, then on forestry tracks right to the top. Nice view if you had time to stop. Then drop steeply down through a wood and past an asparagus field. Over a round where water was provided then up the other side climbing steadily. Last two km were along a very narrow woodland path to the finish. Great event, well organised and nice to run/ race with different people in different conditions. Happy with 8th out of 32. But next year I think we a more than capable of finishing 1st on the mixed vets class.
Leg 2 – 9.8km. 117m. Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat – Vicky Jones
My first race in a few years and what a great one to choose – so well organised and fun to be part of a team. Leg two was basically flat until the last half km where you have to climb about 100 m in a little over half a km. I went out far too fast leading to an enforced run/walk approach – I’d love to blame the heat but a lack of endurance fitness definitely came into it. Nonetheless I found someone to run with and managed to enjoy it until we turned off the river and hit the steps; my legs didn’t want to play and I thought I’d end up crawling. I gritted my teeth and made it to about 20m from the end where a momentary lapse of concentration allowed my legs to give up and I hit the deck. No harm done but the dry dust attached to my sweat/water soaked limbs making it look like I’d had an impressive tumble. The leg finished with another few steps, which the photographer wanted me to sprint up, I managed to give a polite answer. All in all the leg almost beat me but I loved it and can’t wait for next year!
Leg 3 – 8.6 kms, 150m – Lisa Grant
The relay was a fun yet slightly strange experience… As the runner of leg 3, leaving my home knowing that teammate runner 1 was enroute back to his home for a full cooked breakfast having finished his leg; while teammate runner 2 had just started her leg and I was just setting off to drive to my starting point! That was a bit unnerving. Once parked up, registered and at my green box starting point, the smiling warm familiar face of Christine was there to snap a pic and recall teammate runner 2’s muddy fall – in the dry hard dirt! I had a great run and enjoyed it even with the heat. Being part of a group effort to run from Ross to Chepstow brought us together for a shared challenge, one that was a delight to be a part of!
Leg 4 – 10.6 kms, 450m – Ian Payne
Leg 4 Topstack in Monmouth – Bigsweir Bridge – Ian Payne
Leg 4 started at 1220, temperature around 30 degrees, a cheeky elevation of 450m and a distance of 10km was awaiting me. Definitely tough yet also very satisfying. The field was packed with around 30 runners with many running for some well known clubs. I had ran the route a week prior, so I knew what was coming. I pushed hard on the flats and down hills and eased up abit when I knew hills we’re approaching. This definitely worked in my favour as I was able to run around 90% of the hills, which led me to over take many runners who were hiking the steep inclines. The route was mainly trail, with some shaded wooded areas which were well welcomed. Parts of the route were through fields which exposed us to the sunshine (I’m glad I creamed up). This was all part of the challenge along with self navigating. I know for sure, I would had got lost if I didn’t run the recce prior. I pushed my hardest on the day and happy with how I ran but overall delighted by the teams fantastic performance. Crossing the finishing line and seeing Christine there was a heart warming experience and made me happy to be part of Crickhowell Running Club. It was a wonderful event, well organised and one I definitely recommend for the future.
Leg 5 – 5.2 kms,100m – Taff
Leg 5 starts at Bigsweir Bridge and follows Offas Dyke by the river all the way to Brockweir Bridge
Nearly an hour’s drive down to the start of leg 5 was a bit of a task but once arriving and meeting up with Christine and Ian who had smashed his section. The bar was set high with Tom, Vicky and Lisa smashing their sections also. My plan for a leisurely little jog was out the window. My usual Synopsys is to start last and try to work my way up the competition but as this was a relay, it was get up there and try and stay there. At a temperuture of 34 degrees, this was not going to be a record breaker and there was little to no shade on the route, but I pushed what I could and managed a reasonable finish. Christine was once again supporting at the finish and then there was a leisurely jog back to the car to finish off. All in all a very well organised relay, hats off to the organisers.
Leg 6 – 7 kms, 275m – Gary
Leg 6 starts at Brockweir Bridge and crosses over to the west side of the Wye and follow the Wye Valley Walk to below Wyndcliffe at the bottom of the 365 steps
So, after a flat run through Tintern along the Wye river, it was time to head into the Wyndcliffe Woods and the start of the long ascent. It actually wasn’t too bad. I couldn’t run uphill, so had a nice walk through the woods and the shade gave some respite from the glaring sun. Then when the path started to level off, I managed to up the pace. If I wasn’t trying to compete then I would have made a slight detour taken in the panoramic view from the ‘Eagles Nest’ viewing point. Another time…
Finally it was time to head down and hand over the virtual baton to Phil for the final leg, and to see the familiar face of Christine who had graciously supported us throughout the day.
Leg 7 – 4 kms, 160m – Phil
The ‘Creber’ leg. Leg 7 starts in the car park on the other side of the road to the finish of leg 6 at the bottom of 365 steps below Wyndcliffe and finishes in Chepstow
What can we say? Phil stepped in last minute – and was met at the start with the message “No pressure, but the team is currently in 2nd Position for the mixed Vets team”. What a star! he ran his legs off and did the job with a smile on his face.
