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Sally Minchella. July 20th. 2025
First double South Wales Traverse
There and back again - the story of a crazy idea (the first double SWT, as far as I know), brought to life with an amazing all female run support crew including Amy Freeman (already in this group)- all star crew, I couldn't have asked for any more - they believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself!
This threw every challenge at us from the start- from having a dodgy stomach and vomiting on leg 1 playing havoc with fueling from the start, the worst blisters I've ever had, then hemorrhaging time on taking care of them, issues with salt balance, exhaustion from much earlier than expected... I only started to actually feel in good shape from about 125 miles in, when it began to come together, before the weather provided the sting in the tail on the final leg, with shared suffering on the England/Wales border. It took a lot longer than expected, but we worked amazingly as a team to problem solve as we went.
Start: Llanthony Priory 17/7/25 5pm
Total time: 61:11 (plenty of fat in this time for someone to do it much faster!!)
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/GHdjBfYhaVb
(In my sleep deprived state I accidentally deleted most of the original post in trying to add some stats!)
Jake Hayes. June 30th 2025.
Finisher alert! Ian Hoare Spencer Bun and myself Jake Hayes completed the SWT yesterday morning in 21 hours 34 minutes. We started at 1pm Saturday with continual wind, rain and cloud and minimal visibility until morning on Sunday when the sun made a brief appearance. Despite the weather we had a blast, enjoyed the trails new and old, battled through bogs, mud, head high bracken, nettles, midges and the dreaded woods as well as that scary quarry at midnight, before finishing with a well earned beer at Llantony. Looking at the records Ian may well be one of, if not the oldest finisher at 61 years young at his 4th attempt - well done sir!
Sally Minchella May 18th. 2025
Solo unsupported South Wales Traverse completed yesterday in 22:00:40.
I think I am the first woman to do it on this basis, unless anyone knows of any previous female solo unsupported efforts?
Hot and dry conditions. Thankfully all my planned water resup points still had water, but many of the small streams currently dry. Glorious sunset and sunrise.
Mynydd Du forest definitely trickier post Autumn storms. Lots of fallen trees which are mostly easy to go around etc, worst part is the first steep section after the open/felled area which is like a puzzle/obstacle course! I found a route through when recceing from the bottom up, it is less obvious when you are coming down.
Read the whole story here:
Sally - rununbound
Jonathan Riley. May 11th 2025.
A successful completion yesterday in 23:48, thanks to a support crew and runners from Bristol's finest Town and Country Harriers. 6am train to Neath. 8am start, with a room for our support runners at the Coach and Horses in Llangynidr. Amazing weather!
Ian Whistance smashed the SWT in 18:50 Friday 8th April 2023
Saturday 19th June 2021. Jules Boon on his way to an 18:17 finish, starting at 0430hrs, West to East, providing an exciting finish for spectators as the headtorches wound their way down the slippy hill to Llanthony. It was great weather until the end when it got pretty cold and rainy.
Saturday 1st May 2021 - Alun Wood completes the round in 19:54, starting at the standard 4:30am going west to east.
Thursday 15th October 2020 - Damian Hall breaks the male record with a time of 14:13:18 - a little over 5 mins quicker than the previous holder Dan Doherty.
Saturday 26th September 2020 - Helen Brown breaks the female record with a time of 18:48:45 - just under 5 mins quicker than Katie Roby's previous record set in 2013. Helen set off at the same time as Dan Sandford who also completed in 19:32:00. Both were supported by local runners from their own and other local clubs.
We are trying to fill the gaps in the list of completions. If you know anyone who may have information that can help us track this down please get in touch.
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