Races > Castles | Father Time | Fireworks 5 | Barry 40
For reasons which are doubtless lost in the mists of time, all our races are specialist in one way or another.
The Kay Pritchard Memorial Road Race (originally, and still, confusingly, known as the Fireworks 5 ) is a women only event which is held in November (hence the old name), and comprises a two lap course around Pontcanna Fields/Sophia Gardens. Some of this course used to be off road, but most of the paths used were concreted in 1999. However the route remains largely free of traffic (if not of pedestrians, cyclists and dogs). It will next be held on Sunday, 4 November 2007.
The Old Father Time Road Race is open only to vets (sometimes referred to as ’masters,’ which currently means women of 35 and older, and men of 40 and older). It is run on the same course as the womens’ race above. It will next be held on Sunday, 30 December 2007.
The Barry 40 Mile Track Race is open to anyone to enter. Numbers are strictly limited as a ratio of 1 marshal to 1 to 2 runners is needed to ensure accurate distance recording. It is held in March in Jenner Park Stadium (home of Barry Town Football Club). Facilities may be fairly described as basic. The date for 2007 is March 11.
Starting in 2005, we've branched out with a Summer Duathlon Series at Llandow Race Circuit, Nr Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. We hope to host them again in 2007.
Finally, the Welsh Castles Relay is held in the second weekend in June and run from Caernarfon in North Wales to Cardiff in South Wales, with an overnight stop in Newtown. It is not strictly a relay: runners do not pass a baton to team-mates; and each stage is a self-contained race. The race was cancelled in 2001, in anticipation of restrictions arising from Foot and Mouth control measures. The 2007 race (which will be the 25rd) will take place over the second full weekend in June—ie the 9th and 10th; entries will open in February and will close at the end of March.
The main mass participation race in Cardiff remains the KRUF 10K, which is held in September and organised to raise money for the Kidney Research Unit Foundation (KRUF). The other Cardiff Clubs used to organise their own races. San Domenico had problems with their 20 mile race which will be held for the first time in four years on April 1, starting and finishing in that much loved part of Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil. Pegasus no longer have the numbers to hold either of their races. Penarth & Dinas held a fine 10K in Penarth until planning objections prevented the 2001 event. They still organise the Cosmeston Relays which seem to get more popular each year. In April 2006 they organised the Porthkerry Plod
and as far as I know plan to do so again in 2007.
Croups member Ruth Pickvance and Nick Janvier from Brackla Harriers co-ordinate the Atlantic College 10K (March 25, 2007) in Llantwit Major, not for from Cardiff.
There is also a series of 5k races in May, June, and July organised by Graeme Finlayson. The Cardiff Marathon may be run again in 2007.
Local running shop Run and Become organise a series of 2, 3, and 4 Mile races, and a 4 X 1 Mile relay, all in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff.
We would of course be happy to hear from any profligate local business people looking to burn money in public and whose tastes don’t run to stray animals and whose budgets don’t run to hospital wings or football clubs.
Races > Castles | Father Time | Fireworks 5 | Barry 40
Last updated 31 December 2006
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