Its ****ing terrible
Its ****ing terrible
Stumpy its good. I'm missing it again this year. Unfinished business, ran 3:57:03 there 2 years ago, but then the RO added 3 minutes to the times...so annoyingly 3 seconds over the 4 hrs..
I think its similar to Borrowdale, quite a bit of running, quite fast in place, good tracks for lots of it (once you hit Foe Grach area really). The hardest part is the Carneddau, the correct line from Aber Falls through the Beras, around Foel Grach and then the descent is worth recceing.
The nav isn't that difficult, assuming you keep the map out and navigate, once lost though it is hard to relocate due to few distinguishing features. If the clag is really down through the Beras can be tricky. If you have time check out the Carneddau section. From the Summit of Foel Grach (worth visiting in bad weather) to C Dafydd should be straght forwards in any weather, and then the descent isn't too tricky.
From then on its straight forwards apart from a 500m spell at Caseg y Fraith, finding the top of the miners, people have been lost there.
Even though it's longer I've always found the Peris harder. Maybe the 1000m is easier mentally, get half way, one climb over the Glyders, then a nice walk up Snowdon. All easily broken down.
Worth dropping food at the A5 and PyP or get support to meet you there.
re McQueen, I think he got lost like me at Foel Fras through being too familiar, you think you know the area, pick up landmarks and make everything fit, in an unfamiliar area, say racing in Jura, I'd have had the map out far earlier, just wouldn't take a risk. I think even CD also got lost, although he went on for his customary win, for similar reasons. Foel Fras taught me a lesson for sure.
Last edited by IainR; 30-01-2010 at 08:51 PM.
Less physically demanding than Peris horseshoe, as previous comments suggest, but I like the 1000s because the field spreads out and it's a genuine test of hillcraft/nav if the weather is bad - as it was last year. In addition to Iain and others comments about the Carneddau, it's also worth taking the time to check bearings as you cross the Glyders at Caseg Fraith.
Thats all very well but the worst bit is that last drag along the railway track to Snowdon summit, pretending to look like a hard runner in front of hordes of Millet-clad walkers when in reality you are completely in bits, siezed up with agonising cramp and dragging your sorry ass summit-wards at less than walking pace....well, thats how I remember it!
But its a mere pussy compared to Peris...for hard nut/masochists only! Luv it!!
and trying to avoid their trekking poles!Originally Posted by Wheeze
Yeah I ended up just barging through them, walking up, usual form, bent over, hands on knees, just bouncing off people.
Think the jog of actually helps a bit too, never feel as sore the next few days, compared to the Peris.
Does anyone have this in electronic form (e.g. GPX, TCX) or which I could download from a mapping site. Would like to see it on a map, or ideally put on my Garmin for a recce.
Hi Duncan,
can't help you with an electronic version, but good description on this thread;
http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?t=6884
Had a look at the section between Aber and Llewelyn a couple of weeks back. As far as I can make out, not really any track to follow between the beras. After foel grach (which you can avoid in the race), it's relatively staright forward though.
Anyone on here doing this?
I'm having a go for the first time this year and am working up to doing it in under 5 hours which may be a bit ambitious...
I've brought the Welsh race routes book off Amazon, is the route still the same as in here, nav wise it doesn't look too difficult...
Any tips, good places to stay, logistics? For example I was thinking that I might like to catch the train down from Snowdon!
Cheers
I thought this for a few years ago. It would have cost £54 for a return journey for the missus and our daughter and a single for me!
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