New date, new course, new time, new organiser.
In 2026 the race will be on Easter Sunday. The route will be a little longer than the original 'drop' and it'll start at 11:00 am.
The route starts in a different place (it's a 10min walk) and finishes as before at the village hall. From the start there is a short road section then right up the bridleway. After the gate at the top, head left then right on a gently rising path. Run to the stone towers (Ck1) and make your way to the main path on the top of the ridge. At some stage (it will be marked) you head off right towards a small lake below Pen Tir (Ck2) . Turn left back to and gain the main path. Run past the cairn where we used to turn around on the original Pen Tir Drop route and after a short distance turn left on a small contouring path towards Cefn Moel. This path then joins the main path - we continue on to the cairn at the path cross-roads (Ck3). We then turn back the way we came and take the main path all the way to the Ffynnion Oer trig (Ck4). Then comes the lovely descent on the small sheep-trod all the way back to the main path, then onto and past the cairn and we return all the way back to the village hall on the original route.
There is some route choice on the descent to the road as usual. Remember that in planning alternative routes you must not cross any walls/fences or enter private property. You must stick to open access land and official public rights of way.
Maprun
There will also be a maprun set up for the route which will enable runners to both record their recce's in a table and also give runners the opportunity to be added to the results for the race on 5th April (but no prizes). The maprun will also give runners the opportunity to claim segments between checkpoints Eg. climb to stones from start, climb to trig, descent from trig etc. See notes below.
If you do the maprun by yourself you must make the usual precautions for running solo on the hills: take mobile phone/let someone know where and when you're going etc, take full kit. NOTE: The race permit will not cover runners doing the the maprun in the days before the main event.
You run at your own risk!
On the day - please car share if possible, parking is very tight. Do not jeopardise the future of the event by parking irresponsibly!
The race is insured by the WFRA and therefore competitors are subject to the WFRA safety requirements for fell races and rules for competition. The weather can be a challenge and also differ from the start to the top. Competitors should arrive at races prepared to wear/carry all of the following equipment:
Adequate whole body cover, (e.g. windproof or waterproof top and legging to give protection against the effects of wind chill, hat and gloves) to protect you against hypothermia or heat exhaustion/ dehydration in the severest conditions likely on the day. The Race Organiser (RO) will specify minimum clothing requirements for their event, but you are responsible for carrying any additional clothing as necessary for your own protection. You should always bring additional protective equipment to the race registration in order to be able to comply with more stringent requirements that may be demanded by the RO on the day due to adverse conditions. The greatest need for clothing is not for running but when you are forced to stop or slow, and wait what can be a very long time for rescue. A kit decision will be made on the day and necessary or advised kit posted. If you haven’t got appropriate kit you cannot race. No argument. Anyone finishing without the required kit, will be disqualified and reported to the WFRA and probably sanctioned.
Map of the race route and compass, both suitable for navigating the course.
Whistle.
Emergency food and/ or fluids as needed for the conditions.
Any additional items specific to your needs.
There will be no First Aid personnel in attendance, though there will be a First Aid kit available at the finish.
Race Route
There are 4 checkpoints you must visit:
Start - ///arrival.goods.eternally
Ck1. Stones - ///messaging.mediate.laminate
Ck2. Small lake near Pen Tir - ///inert.correctly.singers
Ck3. Cairn at cross-paths - ///fortress.cookbooks.equal
Ck4. Trig at Ffynnon Oer - ///strikers.handicaps.earpiece
Finish - ///subway.costumed.deny
