2003 Photos

Gaynor Hulland, 3M Gorseinon

Hi, I just want to say I had a brilliant time, this was my first Castles and I was running for 3ms Gorseinon. I can assure you it won't be my last.…The camaraderie was magnificent each team helping each other with water etc. On my leg there was a man running fior Hare and Hounds who was not carrying water and looked extremely hot at about 4 miles, I gave him my bottle as I thought he was in more need than I was. When I checked the results I could see that he was at the bottom with no position just cut off time and penalty minutes. I was concerned as I thought he had not made it, however at the Drovers I saw him and asked if he was o.k as I was worried and he explained he had taken a wrong turning, he did thank me for the drink which was much appreciated. I was just glad he was o.k.

Shouting encouragement to all runners was excellent. If the club want me to run for them next year I definitely will, So hope to be there next year. Thanks for a good weekend.

Dirk Spaargaren, Gnomads wrote:

Dear Sir,

First of all I would like to thank you for the good times I had in Wales. The run is great, the people are fantastic and your country is beautifull as well, I certainly will come back, if it is not for the race, then it will be for holidays.

However, I would like to raise one item, which I will think will improve the event. I have spoken to many other runners and we all agree we are missing distance-signs along the road. In Holland you will find in allmost every race indications about the distance you have ran. Some organisers write it down in paint on the road, others put little signs along the roads. It is so important to know where you are along the track and how many more miles you have to run.

I guess you check the track a few times by car, why not stop every mile and put some paint on the road? And if it is not possible to put a sign every mile, try to make it possible to indicate the last 5 miles or so. It is just a little remark about a well -organised event

Keep it up and I hope to be there next year

Jos Jones, Bro Dysynni - Leg 14

I would like to thank you for all your hard work during the castles weekend, I had a great time. I would also like to thank all the marshals and people that were handing out water and sponges and giving their support, there seem someone every 400 meters. As it was so hot I decided just to 'run' and enjoy the day rather than 'race' and suffer later. All of the above were gratefully appreciated.

Hope to be back next year, keep up the good work.

Alan Belk, General Manager - European Onsites, Air Products

Dear Dave

Congratulations on another great event, that ran like clockwork.

Many do not appreciate the time and effort taken to organise something as logistically complex as the WCR and even with our limited association and understanding, we really appreciate the attention to detail that you and your colleagues have been working on - even to arrange the best weather ever!

I was kindly invited to your Presentation Evening on 27th June by Derek Williams, but was forced to decline as I will be out of the country, so will not have the opportunity to thank you personally, but thanks once again for an excellent weekend and congratulations on a job well done.

Best regards

Andy Heyes, Chairman, Clevedon Athletic Club

Alan,

I know you are probably still up to your eyes in it following the weekend, but I wanted to say a huge "Thank You" to yourself, Dave and the rest of your team for a fantastic weekend of running.We could not fault a single thing to do with the whole weekend and the weather was the icing on the cake.I have run on each of the 9 occasions we have competed over the years and this year was our best ever performance to finish in 3rd place. We already have runners talking about next year!I have attached our actual running order to this e-mail which hopefully will assist. Once again 10 out of 10 for a brilliantly organised event.

Neil from Corus

Alan,

Thanks to you and all the organising team for another excellent Castles. As usual it appeared to go very smoothly which is a reflection on how well organised it is thanks to all the hard work you put in. Thanks again from all the Corus team.

Gordon Newlands of Dulwich Runners:

As one of the tour "virgins" I had few preconceptions of what the Welsh castles relay held in store. By the end of a sweltering weekend in the land of our fathers (or at least Dylan's) I had been well and truly bitten by the bug and hope to make this a regular fixture in my running calendar. As we drove along narrow country lanes in the minibus, up hill and down dale, it was always a thrill when the red & blue vest came into view and I felt proud whenever I saw a Dulwich runner stride to the finish. Thanks to host team Les Croupiers for staging a magnificent event, and Andy for co-ordinating our efforts so skilfully.

…Unfortunately the Dulwich support services were unable to make contact with team joker Tiarnan O'Cleirigh during leg 6. However he received unexpected encouragement from a local out on his Sunday morning training run, who modestly introduced himself as "a jogger" as he ran alongside. He praised Tiarnan for his hill climbing prowess and on how he was pulling clear of his pursuers. Later in the stage Tiarnan thought that he had also pulled clear of his unexpected companion but heard the footfall of a runner close behind. A small voice piped up "don't worry, the footsteps you hear are those of the jogger".