Les Croupiers Running Club

Bob, a colleague, has this 16.3 mile one planned . . . . . Short explanation
"Roughly, the plan is to start at the 14 Locks Car Park about 1 mile north of Junction 27. From there we will follow the back lanes to the top of Twmbarlwm. Then it will be round Cwmcarn Scenic drive. Finally joining the canal for the final 5 miles back to the 14 Locks."

Long version is here Full Route and explanation (Click Me)

Hopefully there will be drinks stations and cake.

Make sure you look in at the canal centre after the race....tea and homemade cakes there too!!
Please support it if you can, took us 3 years to get the money to extend it and build the tea rooms.
I'm doing the BMF 10k on this date so sorry I cant be there.
Chris

Some people have tentatively asked about this, I'll try to describe it better.
M4 J27 (Highcross) - turn off, take a first left and after about ).75 mile turn right to the 14 Locks canal centre as Chris has mentioned above, path there.

The run - 10 for the slower runners and 10:30 for the faster runners.
Turn right out of the canal centre towards Castell-y-Bwch, turn left after aout 0.8 mile on to Mountain Rd, follow this road all the way until you see Twmbarlwm on your left (its 1300 feet high and has a pronounced mound on the visible top - so hard to miss)
Climb Twmbarlwm, head towards the trig point then down the other side where you join the Scenic 7 route
Scenic 7 (Click Me)
at the traditional water station spot, follow the route of the Scenic 7 in the loop that is roughly miles 3 to 5 of the race and you come back to where you joined, instead of completing the Scenic 7 route the fast way, reverse the route that the race takes to the start then carry on past the drinks marshals we should have in place all the way down to Pontywaun where across the road is the canal which turning left on to takes you back to the start.

16.3 Miles, but to make it 20 or longer, jut carry on down the canal after the finish towards the M4, under the M4 then east along the canal parallel with the M4 to the Brynglas tunnels and back.

Thanks Dominic - a great run, brilliantly organised and supported. Loads of difficult running with views to die for and a good flat finishing stretch - fantastic!

Thanks for coming along John (and Matt and Katie). The Scenic 7 is why I'm rarely seen at Cosmeston Relays because they usually clash and the Scenic 7 is to running what Spa is to Formula One Circuits. Garmin said Bob's 26.2KM (Click Me)

+2,200ft of climb. No wonder my calves are aching.
Thanks for that Dom. Am now slumped and it'll be an effort to pour the beans on the toast.

glad you all enjoyed the run along the canal,,,,why not support the welsh waterways festival, i am organising on 29th 30th 31st may at kimberley park malpas newport on the canal. lots of attractions and boats visiting from all over the country, all to raise money to restore the canal. check out www.mon-brec-canal-trust.org.uk
thanks and i know its not running related but if its near the canal ive got to get my say in!!!!!

Thanks Chris we did all go in to the canal centre for tea and cake afterwards as you requested, that was the easy bit although the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed with the sudden business.

Next Sunday (14th) if anyone is interested I am doing my "Scenic 17" training run Scenic 17(Click Me)

Cwmcarn village up to the start of the Scenic 7 race, do the race route, reverse the race route and back to the village, 17 miles, 3500 feet of climb, all on tarmac (many people imagine the Scenic Drive is off-road).