Park in recreation ground for registration (registration open from 1:30PM), start/finish is on Church Street (road with the Spar supermarket on the corner)
Location
Registration at Machen Welfare Ground,Tyn-y-Waun Road, Machen, CF83 8LA
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.
General Area
Mainly accessible low-lying moorland and/or open fell
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Height
Height Rarely above 1,000 ft (300m)
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Terrain
Some moderately challenging terrain, e.g. reasonable tracks over moorland or good fell paths
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Exposure (drops) and hazards on or near route
No exposure but mild risk from e.g. ground holes, bogs, or river crossings
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Navigation skills required
Basic: route may be mostly obvious or waymarked, but some basic navigation required in parts
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Mountain skills required
Basic: off-trail experience helpful, e.g. in route planning, preparation and emergency considerations
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Escape routes
Lots of options but with possible “decision points” before some sections
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Season time and effect of weather
Any inclement weather unlikely to present serious challenges