Is anyone else doing this?
http://www.excaliburmarathon.com/
If not, I'll allow this thread to die.......
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Is anyone else doing this?
http://www.excaliburmarathon.com/
If not, I'll allow this thread to die.......
When I rang the organiser a couple of weeks ago he said there were about 100 entries so far (some will be walkers)
Usually at the back, you're being a bit coy there. Are you in or not ;) ?
I put the route through MapMyRide to have a look at the course. I'm sure the reason it comes up short is the amount of corners I cut while mapping as a few of the people I've spoken to reckon the race may be a wee bit longer than 26.4 miles.
http://classic.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/-ruthin/418132449858221976
I ran past the farm at about 6.5 miles - where we turn left off the bridleway - & was chased by some dogs the other day. Hopefully they'll have had their fill of walkers by the time runners get their on race day.
yes entry confirmed with my friend, we are starting with the walkers though to give us half a chance of getting to the first checkpoint before 10.15am, the organiser said the later start was for 'elite' runners.
Think we will avoid a recce past the farm, don't like dogs
Parked up at the Moel Arthur car park & did the Penycloddiau loop this morning. Bridleways were quite muddy & this will only get worse as winter goes on, the road section seems very long but enjoyed myself when I got back on to Offas Dyke. Hope to recce the other loop from the Bwlch pen Barras next weekend.
Can't see this race attracting many "elite" runners. Strange choice of word.
Just spoke to the organiser who said he has about 160 entries to date and is expecting 200 by the event (not clear of the foundation for that expectation, but I've never organised a race...).
He's going to email the entrants next week with some further route guidance (I asked him about the waymarking through the initial forest stage).
(notsomuchofa)Fellrunner, just curious, what makes you say it won't attract many "elite" runners? As a newbie I thought it looked like a good route - takes in lots of the good bits around there and has the potential for a decent level of support.
I totally agree that it looks a great route & I'm really looking forward to it. I think the race may attract some of the good local runners, but I can't see it attracting any "elite" athletes. Perhaps in a year or two when it's grown we might expect to start to see some talent.
btw, set off with my headtorch at silly-o-clock on Sunday morning & ran the loop from start through the forest, Cilcain, Moel Arthur car park, Moel Fammau, Foel Fennli, forest to the finish & clocked it at 14.9 on my Garmin. A friend measured it at 15.1 the previous week.
So what does an event need to attract "elite" athletes? Is it just a case of publicity, or is there something inherent in the race route/format that is lacking? Like I say, I'm just interested to understand your view.
Which route did you take from the start to the back of the forest? There seems to be a plethora of tracks and forest roads, which is why I asked the organiser about the waymarking for that section. Don't fancy micro-navigating in the first couple of miles!
I think we may be getting stuck around various definitions of "Elite". In an earlier post Usually at the back had been in contact with the organiser who had said that those running the marathon - as opposed to the walkers - were "elite". I know off half a dozen people at my work & another half a dozen in my club who are running & I wouldn't class any of us as elite.There will be no need to micro-navigate. The forest section is very straight forward, you just get on the correct road & follow it to the end. If you would like to PM me your e-mail, I'll send you over a couple of scanned maps of the route.
Ah, now I understand the reason for discussing the "elite" entrants - thanks!
Looks like your PM box is full...
I had an E - mail from the organiser (Dan) today, it reads: 'The trickiest part of the course is the first section through the forest. Once you’re through that part it’s a fairly simple trail to follow.
Please be advised that although it says the 1st manned checkpoint closes at 10:15, this is due to be changed after a number of runners raising concern about covering the distance if they were to set off at 9:30.
The times will all be confirmed after my site visit early next week.
No-one should worry about the trickiness of the first forest section. At that point, so near the start whether you're a runner or walker there will be plenty of people around you. You run up out of the car park for 5 or so minutes & then take a left which I'm sure will be marked, then stay on that road along to it's end. You'd have to be very navigationally challenged to cock it up.
I ran the other loop this morning as part of my run & clocked it at 11.5 miles. I'd not ran that wee loop at Moel-y-Parc before. The road section is a PITA, but from the cairn is some of the best downhill grassy tracks in the Clwydians, swiftly followed by some of the most laborious as we climb back up to Offa's Dyke.
Stuart, do you still want those maps? My PM's should be cleared now.
Has everyone been contacted by the organiser? Put my entry in on 21st Nov....still waiting.
Not been to this area before, waiting for map to arrive so I can plan the route. Any help greatly appreciated...cheers.
There is a new organiser called Dan Thomas, his contact details are:
T: 0151 343 0883
M: 07850 002683
[email protected]
Well, from the email it looks like we now have an hour to get to Cilcain, should be plenty time. I timed myself at 51 minutes on Sunday, which will be race pace on the day as I'm not competing, just completing this race. If I go too hard I'll lose too many key training sessions for my Ironman a couple of months later.
the e-mail was good timing, aim is to recce the loop from Moel Arthur down to Tavern etc this afternoon, looks about 12 miles on the map
Forecast is for a brilliant day, I'm jealous. Observations I made on my first recce of that section are;1. take 2nd right on road section, not first. 2. when turning off the road section the house is not called "Finger Cottage" as the map suggests. It is - quite rightly - the Welsh spelling.3. at Moel-y-Parc you'll see the trig point on the RHS in the field, you need to carry on a bit further to find the correct cairn.4. when dropping off M-y-P, which is great running, continue past the farm & then immediately turn left toin up with Offa's Dyke.
Myself and a couple of others from my club are planning to do this, it looks good and not dissimilar to the excellent 'Open to Offas' event that I did last year.
The new organiser, Dan seems a little more on the ball than the previous 'organiser' and has now sent some details via email but despite 3 re-sends, I (and apparently several others) can't seem to download them. Dan has said he'll send them snail mail but I'm not holding my breath as everything seems to be on a go-slow for this event.
I'd very much appreciate a copy of the scanned maps mentioned if anyone could email them to me I'll PM my email across. I'm doing a recce of the first 15mile loop from the forest today as best I can from the GRs given but a map would be fab if anyone can help.:)
Feel free to PM me Kathyf. I've got some stuff on my works computer that I'll send along tomorrow.
Hope you enjoyed your run today. I couldn't get to the parking bays above Cilcain this morning because of the snow, but had a great time when I got running.
Was it you I saw on Offa's Dyke between the 2 cairns & the bridleway that joins Cilcain & Llangynhafal?
I have two versions of the map - a PDF and a photo image if you want to PM me, Kathy F, or e-mail me at [email protected] . Snow at cilcain, eh, (notsomuchofa)Fellrunner - It was a lovely run in the sunshine this morning on this side of the water although we did spy some white over there on Moel Famau. A few of us are alos doing the bottom loop with a bit of an extension to get the miles in next Sunday.
No, you're right NSMOAfellrunner, it wasn't me! I couldn't go til later on today and then ended up having to amend the route as we ran out of time. Ran through a about 20 minutes of superb horizontal snow though and the views were fantastic. Will send a PM if you wouldn't mind sending stuff. Thanks
This is going to be tough! I think I have underestimated it up to now. Either that or I had an off day yesterday. Did the bottom loop with a little bit of the top loop aiming to make it about 19 miles but ended up just finishing off from top of Moel famau so only did 16 miles. Very undulating. No really big climbs but just up and down and up and down and up ........ A lot more training in the next 3 weeks I think.
ran from the start up to CP2 tonight, up Moel Fammau, then Fenlli - misty on the top though, aiming for the whole of the bottom loop on Saturday
Have a good run - i think I'm aiming more for Snowdonia on Saturday. If you wear a garmin I'd be interested in knowing what ascent you get for bottom loop. We think top loop is 2,500ft and I'm guessing bottom loop to be 3,000 ft (we got 3,200 ft but added in Moel Arthur and didn't do Moel fenli so ...) - altogether more than the 4600ft they claim methinks.
Haven't got a garmin sorry, wonder if NSMOAfellrunner has measured it?
enjoy Snowdonia
I've no idea about total climb. I discount any figure my Garmin gives me as the altitude data is wildly unreliable. I can confirm that there is plenty of climb though :wink: . I reckon you could add 30%-50% on to your flat mara time.
Bottom loop recce today, only one hail shower, so a good day out. Checked that the tea van on the car park at the start will be open early on the morning
Did the bottom loop recce today with an added loop round Moel Arthur to make it 19.5 miles (would have been 19 but we ran past the road turn off after Cilcain and had to double back). Misty on the tops but the sunshine came out just after we finished. 4 hours at a gentle pace (although by the time I hit Moel Fenli didn't feel that gentle!) and according to Garmin 3,838ft of climb. Recovery drink, Bacon butty (from aforementioned tea van)and two pints of Guinness at the Colomendy and I'm ready to go again ........ next week.
did the top loop a couple of weekends ago (when Sharon and I saw you guys out Nigel) and my Garmin also said 3975ft and the top loop today and it said 2600ft so considerably more than the 4600ft the organisers say!!
A lovely day out today though - very warm and lots of sporadic sunshine and misty clouds. Saw lots of people out running and reccying, followed up by a very sociable lunch in Loggerheads Pub:)
Good that the tea van will be open early :) . I just hope the car park bloke will open up early, I've only got there after opening time once.
I did most of the climbing last weekend apart from the part from the bit at the end of the first forest section to CP3, Foel Fenlli & the last forest section. The Garmin said 4700ft & the parts I missed out were worth about 750ft, gives a possible total of 5450ft.
Proper pea-souper conditions this morning. I wouldn't want to be coming for the race without the chance of a recce.
Has anyone else the feeling that they've been missing out on emails from the RO? Having talked with some people I reckon I've not had a couple.
2 Mar (9 days ago)
Hello Runners, Just another quick message from me. Lots of you have been acce...
Dan Thomas 2 Mar (9 days ago)
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Dan Thomas [email protected]
2 Mar (9 days ago)
to undisclosed recipients
Hello Runners,
Just another quick message from me. Lots of you have been accessing the files which is great, but can I just please remind you to download a sponsor form and pass it round work or your family. Any amount you raise would really make a massive difference to our children and their families! Apologies for all of you who have already been getting sponsors. Around 25% of runners have downloaded the file, and I know a few of you have asked me to send you some paper forms, if you want a form though the posts please don’t hesitate to ask. For those of you who wish to use and online fundraising page, please visit: http://bit.ly/wSC6Bm to set up a JustGiving Page.
Route Map: http://bit.ly/zKEqnM
Sponsor Form: http://bit.ly/wNrHKj
Route Brief and revised check point times: http://bit.ly/xUNMwk
PLEASE NOTE the map references are GUIDES ONLY, please use them in conjunction with the route map if you are intending to mark your own maps.
When you are all registering in the morning, we will be re-confirming your next of kin details and we will also need you to confirm any medical allergies or illnesses for our first aid records. The North Wales search and Rescue have been fully briefed on the event and are very happy with the provisions we are making to ensure your safety. However please do all be advised that you need to act in your own interest at all times, and if at any point throughout the race you feel the need to stop, please relay a message to your nearest marshal or use the emergency contact number that you will be provided, and we will make sure you are relayed back to the base or to any medical assistance.
I have now ordered all the race t-shirts, and you will therefore be issued the t-shit size and language that you requested at time of registering. Whilst every step has been made to make sure we have the correct size and language, there may be an instance where we will need to offer you an alternative size or language.
Again, if you have received this message in error, or you know that you need to remove your entry from the race, please email me and I will remove you from the race list.
Kind regards
Dan Thomas
Event Fundraiser
Claire House Children's Hospice
T: 0151 343 0883
M: 07850 002683
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