Machen

Comprehensively marked and heavily marshalled, no route choice, surrounded on both sides by valleys with visible communities, Machen on one side and Risca on the other. Course clearance of excess vegetation prior to the race is substantial, in some areas the exposed hillside has quite extensive rutting from vehicles illegally driving on it together with soil erosion due to water. The downhill has a section of fairly steep rutted terrain from 100 yards off the trig that lasts about 300 yards, then a section later which used to be in dense forest with very nice underfoot conditions but due to the felling of the trees is now exposed and stony. Retirees have two options, if in the first 1.5 miles simply reverse the route or from that point on walk with the tail runner/walker (who carries a first aid kit) and be directed to avoid the loops around the top or wait with the nearest marshals and walk in with them. The race takes place on August Bank Holiday (last Monday in August) so weather is seldom a factor other than occasionally being very hot – in which event water is carried up to the trig.