This is news and updates and such like relating to mountain running and the things we have to endure in order to spend time outside on the mountains in the cold, the wet, the wind, and the fog, and risking the wrath of psychopathic sheep.

LLANTHONY SHOW HILL RACE 6 AUGUST 2005

A damp morning evolved into a dry but overcast day. Instead of a shortened junior race, six local juniors were walked halfway up the mountain for a handicap start. This gave them the satisfaction of gaining the ridge, and gave the senior runners on scratch something to chase.

Patrick Wooddisse won by 2½ minutes and missed Jeorge Thomas’ record by just 30 seconds. Young Simon Rogge over from Belgium, accompanied by his fell-running father, did well for 6^th place.

Juniors (not timed) 1) Max Murdoch 2) Matt Meredith 3) Sam Stacey 4) Luke Stacey 5) Lucy Morgan 6) Dan Bevan.

Thanks to Eric Meredith, Anne Masters, Vanessa and Matthew Lawson for route clearing and marking and marshalling.

Dick Finch 100805

(See Results 2005)

The Mists of Mull (Word) (PDF)

The mists of Mull - LAMM 2005

Although we had never done a LAMM before, one thing was clear with a Martin Stone organised event, expect the unexpected! The released destination was Oban, but it was no surprise that on arrival at Oban we were promptly given ferry tickets and told to go to Mull. Fortunately we made the 8:30 sailing, and the off loading of the boat was great fun as hundreds of rucsac clad mountain marathoners gathered on the car deck forming a hotchpotched invasion force. The fun didn’t end there though, as we were herd in a line, our rucsacs loaded on a lorry and ourselves loaded onto a narrow gauged steam train! This trundled slowly along taking us to the event centre where we registered, put up the tent whilst being feasted upon by the midges (I love DEET), and then ate for ourselves at the excellent Wilfs catering van. We then attempted to sleep…….

5:00am and the bloody bagpiper starts up…..grrrrh! A frantic dash is then made to the porter loo block to attempt to beat the morning queues. Breakfast then utilised the convenience of Wilfs, before the final pack of the event sac and a final bowel evacuation (for Simon) to grab our maps and make our start time. Our start point is actually a coach that buses us around the end of the island. We are eventually dropped off and have a further km or two to make the actual start. As we trudge along the road we are treated to the fine sight of a large eagle flying low overhead. An omen? The weathers not looking too good with low clag on the hills and the threat of drizzle and showers.

We make the start and are issued the controls. Whilst other Elite teams mark the first control and rush off we actually stop and plot the lot – we’re not going to get a podium spot so why rush! Besides we shouldn’t really be attempting the Elite class, Simon has been fighting road injuries and illness and I’m just knackered from both previous events and too much socialising at a London conference during the week. Still we’re here now, and off we go. The first check point is simple enough, but the next is a long way off and we are warned of magnetic rock. There are a few teams around us and two head off up the side of the hill. We don’t follow and risk the boulders and screes on the flanks to skirt round to a col. This feels a good choice when elite class stalwart Jim Davies and partner bound past us. We’re soon in the mist and the navigation requires some care. We move along steadily and teeter over a peak at 860m, finding fell shoe scrambling a bit iffy in places, and gain the col with the control. Somewhere ahead in the mist is Ben More but we’re not going there. And so the day continues with the mist lying at around 200m. There is a mix of long legs and short technical navigation sections, especially so in the low visibility. Every so often the compass goes a bit erratic with the magnetic rock, but generally the navigation is pretty spot on. However one control is overshot and we lose time. It’s a relief to hit the overnight camp. Its been a long slow day.

Morning arrives. Thunder and heavy rain hit the camp in the night but despite that we slept well. The slit trench is risked for the morning dump. It has the advantage of less queuing but you really wish the person in front would squat properly! We go for the 7:30 start and once again we are soon in the mist. The first few controls require good navigation in the poor visibility, and fortunately all goes well. A long leg then drops us down below the clag before another hard slog up. The day goes pretty well. We’re moving faster and generally feeling better than we thought we would. Just as we start to drop off the ridge we have been following to gain the last set of controls the cloud starts to lift and we are treated to our first views of the event! A few short controls later, which sees all the classes converging and used a mixture of shared and different controls all quite closely spaced, and we in the final dash for home and completion of our first LAMM. Its been a great event and in the end we manage 9^th place which we’re very pleased with. After food and tick removal we quickly pack and walk to the ferry (its probably quicker than the train!). There’s even time for a beer in the pub on the way. On the ferry back to Oban it is sunny and hot, and the views of the mountains we had spent two days on were superb – Mull teases us!

South Wales Traverse (Word) (PDF)

It was early in the morning, a typical South Walian day. The clag was down, temperatures were barely above freezing, visibility was 100 yards and 7 grinning idiots were looking forward to a day of pain, misery and hardship. The day was not to disappoint.

Rumour had gone around that Pete was to make his 4^th attempt at the South Wales Traverse. Before his wife had a chance to yell, “Divorce” he was joined by fellow Harlequin, Ed Whiting and 5 from MDC (John, Alan, Rhys, Jules and Dan). The Traverse is one of those great ideas thought up by someone after imbibing too much fermented hops. Kent must have run dry that particular year. It involves a run over the 2000 foot peaks of South Wales. It totals 73 miles and 18500 foot of ascent. Before the early morning start, two arrived by car, three opted to spend the night under canvas and two to sit on the veranda of a motorhome sipping Gin and Tonics complaining about the view being spoilt by the tent city.

Despite the protestations that this was not a race, Dan, Rhys and Jules, kicked their heels and disappeared into the swirling mists. Older heads, being carried by even older legs bumbled along behind. But the older heads had listened to the words of the great sage, philosopher and consumer of the odd chicken curry or two – Martin Lucas. Martin had said go over Foel Fraith not around it. Those who did had the great satisfaction of seeing the young ‘uns passing them again before heading up Carreg Las.

Fans appeared and passed in the blink of an eye (the eye in question having had a bad accident with superglue). Thanks to Jo and Algi who did the sterling work of handing out the food and drink and making the obligatory comments of, “you’re looking good” to those who didn’t. Thanks to Ruth for moving the motorhome to Storey arms to pamper the afflicted and hand out cups of tea to complete strangers. The sun was shining, all was well with the world, the runners stripped off and headed up Pen Y Fan. Mother Nature was watching and carefully chose the moment to release the thunder, lightening, hail and strong winds. As the day trippers, following the motorway to the top, piled on the thermals, fleeces and waterproofs, the runners surged past them. The problem is trying to look “real ‘ard” while shivering uncontrollably. Pete and Ed wisely headed for sunnier climes to put on more layers. By Abercynafon Alan was seen to shamelessly steal the shirt off another mans back (thanks Phil). Ed decided to retire on the grounds that he had not yet passed on his Genetic material to the next generation. Pete, after dropping down to the Neuadd reservoir to re-cloth himself, rejoined the battle with the elements. Thanks to Sam and Melissa for patching the running wounded and supplying hot drinks.

On going up to Merthyr common Alan and John were heard to sing the praises of Del Man (Del Boy lost the claim to his former title after electing to drive a Volvo). His directions proved spot on. However, the advantage was soon lost as they got hopelessly lost amongst the shake holes and quarries on the way out. Next stop was the Black Lion Inn, Llangynidr. While the support party (thanks Chris and Zsuzsa) were watching the footie and getting legless inside, the runners were last seen trying to break into their car to retrieve night lights and clothing.

After that Pen Cerrig Calch loomed. It has only one redeeming feature, that being it is the last major climb on the route. The rain and wind set in again and despite the extra layers, “suffering” took on a new meaning. We swam our way to the top. Waun Fach lived up to its reputation as the boggiest summit in Wales. The trig point at the top is desperately trying to join its cousin in Australia. As darkness fell the rain fell heavier. The descent down to the Gwyrne valley through the forest kept the local wildlife amused as Alan and John were seen to trip over every bit of bramble, branch and bracken. I hope we enriched their understanding of the beautiful and descriptive power of the English language. Thanks to Sam who went beyond the call of duty to give fresh supplies and look after the seriously hypothermic Dan (I run lighter than anyone) Booth.

Nearing the top of Rhos Dirion, John and Alan thought that the cold was making them hallucinate when they saw a revolving lighthouse on the top of Lord Herefords Knob (don’t snigger – this is a serious article). It was then joined by a second and we realised it was Rhys and Jules telling us to catch them if we could. We couldn’t – we were too busy shivering. The ridge back to Llanthoney never seemed to end in the dark and rain. Alan and John ended up water skiing down to the priory.

Dan after sleeping for 5 hours and defrosting his giblets carried on alone to finish. Pete, after his detour down to the Neuadd reservoir re-climbed Cribyn to continue the route and with the support of Ed and Martin finished in a remarkable time (considering the extra miles and climbing he did) and was still in a fit state to run the entire length of the ridge back to Llanthoney.

Score for the day; 7 starters, 6 finishers, 4 within 24 hours.

Finishers Times;

Rhys 21hours 6mins

Jules 21hours 6mins

John 21hours 51mins

Alan 21hours 51mins

Dan 25hours 10mins

Pete 25hours 58mins

AMS

From the Mountains to the Sea 05 (Word) (PDF)

What’s your favourite three-word phrase? Perhaps it’s Mine’s A Pint or Half and Half, or for the more competitive it could be It’s All Downhill or Llanbedr To Blaenavon (only joking!). Mrs. G’s love of the national summer sport is such that Rain Stopped Play is music to her ears. The Gogs of course have Dead Dog City, but that’s another story. Anyway, for me the words All Day Breakfast always get the saliva running, and nowhere does a better ADB than the Pottery Tearoom in Ewenny, which is where a group of runners could be found one recent Saturday afternoon tucking into the aforesaid after one of our better Grand Days Out.

Which is a convoluted way of introducing From the Mountains to the Sea, the 2005 follow-up to Penyfan the Hard Way. The fevered brain of yours truly had come up with a multi-sport crossing of South Wales, starting in Cwm Llwch and finishing on the beach at Merthyr Mawr and with the small matters of Penyfan, the Rhigos and the Big Dipper to cross en route. Amazingly, eight people and several back-up teams could think of no better way to spend a fine and sunny spring Saturday, and precisely just after the stroke of 9.43 they were away!

The day hadn’t started well for Team Greybeard, as I realised halfway up the A470 that I’d forgotten my cycle helmet, and it was a rather bemused Kiwi bike shop owner in Brecon who had a very quick first sale of the day on our way to the start.

On the basis of ‘ladies first’, Helen Bennett took an early advantage by starting the event a few minutes before the main group, but by taking the Penyfan race route via the lake and over Corn Du to the summit of Penyfan rather than the ‘Transfan finish’ route direct up the north ridge favoured by the others, she lost her early lead. An attempted Superman (Supergirl?) flying descent of the toilet track, assisted by tripping over a rock, didn’t help her chances either but the amount of blood produced did win the sympathy vote.

Dai Richards, who so narrowly lost Penyfan the Hard Way to Tom Gibbs in 2004, sportingly waited at the start for his rival, and the pair of them set off in hot pursuit 31 minutes in arrears. All this meant that Alan Gillard was first over the top and down to the transition to the road bike, closely followed by Chris Blacker, Phil Holder and Mark Bryant, and not so closely by me and Helen.

The first half of the road cycle to Blaenrhondda, via Penderyn and Hirwaun, was superb, with a strong tailwind most of the way and liberal use of top gear. Things changed after the Rhigos roundabout though, and the long drag round the hairpins on the 1000 foot-plus climb was probably the most testing part of the whole day. I found myself in bottom gear depressingly early on the climb, and I was spurred to greater effort only by a cheery ‘Hello!’ from Helen as she caught me up. Mark, meanwhile, had caught Alan, who was doing the whole thing on a mountain bike, but his advantage was lost at the Rhigos transition where Alan sailed serenely on in the direction of the 600 metre trig while Mark swapped bikes. Helen and I caught Phil and Chris at the changeover, which for the latter pair turned out not to be a changeover at all as their back-up driver, Brian, had decided that he didn’t fancy the ice creams from the van and had headed for the Bwlch instead! Consternation from his team, who decided that the only way to continue would be to miss out the MTB leg from Blaenrhondda to Werfa and instead to carry on via the roads to the Bwlch – thereby having an additional huge climb from Treorci to the top. Amazingly, following a 47 mph descent into Treherbert they lost very little time and rejoined at the start of the next running leg.

With some lucky route choices through the forest I managed to gain a temporary advantage over Mark and Helen, but such was my lack of mtb practice that it wasn’t long before Mark and then Tom, having made up the 31 minute deficit, came past at speed. Another changeover at the Werfa mast saw us all stumbling back into running mode for the run via three trig points to the Llangeinor Arms. This was mostly downhill, and with a clear sky and a following wind it was a pleasure to be on the hills, with views down to Cardiff and across to England. My legs were feeling the strain though, and with Mark becoming a speck on the far horizon I didn’t have to wait long before Chris and Phil came past looking fresh, whilst I just managed to hold off Dai (also having made up 31 minutes) to the fourth changeover.

It seems that at this point Mark, Chris, Phil, Dai and Alan were all within sight of each other, with Alan having lost his earlier advantage by cycling rather than running the Llangeinor ridge. With Mark’s local knowledge the complicated road ride through Bridgend was accomplished without problems, but although Tom took a longer route to Merthyr Mawr that didn’t involve ignoring several no right turn signs he couldn’t be caught. Helen, meanwhile, decided to go house hunting in the remoter Bridgend suburbs, which delayed her arrival. Phil and Chris managed to lose their backup again though, but fortunately Doug Adlam was on hand with two pairs of spare daps so they were spared a barefoot finish.

For those who don’t know, the Big Dipper at Merthyr Mawr is reputedly the highest sand dune in Europe, so it was just the thing to climb after 40-plus miles. After that it was a steady mile through loose sand to the sea. Complaints were heard that the tide was out, adding a good couple of minutes to times as we had to finish with feet in the sea, but as I pointed out the tide had been in when we started so it wasn’t my fault! And so to the aforementioned café for the ADB with added bacon, sausage and toast while sitting in the sunshine. Definitely another Grand Day Out.

As a postscript, Mick Learoyd gave us all rather too much of a head start by setting off on the Sunday on his own, but he got round in a very creditable time as can be seen in the results:

Approximate finishing times (not a race!)

Tom Gibbs MDC SM 3:30

Dai Richards MDC VM 3:50

Mick Learoyd MDC VM 4.09

Alan Gillard Harlequins VM 4:20 (cycled Storey Arms to Merthyr Mawr)

Phil Holder Harlequins VM 4:20 (cycled on road Storey Arms to Werfa)

Chris Blacker Harlequins SM(?) 4:20 (cycled on road Storey Arms to Werfa)

Mark Bryant MDC VM 4:20

Martin Lucas MDC SVM 4:34

Helen Bennett ? SF 5:13

This could not have been done without the long-suffering support teams, so thanks to Kay, Doug, Brian the Lion, Phil, Gareth, Lisa and Dai’s and Mick’s entire families for ‘enjoying’ another Greybeard special. Next year’s Spring Challenge may be a revival of the Winter League In A Day, but watch this space!

Old Greybeard

MDC disaffiliation from AAW (WORD) (PDF)

As secretary of MDC, I write to acknowledge receipt of your recent correspondence in relation to affiliation as MDC has now held its AGM and I have the appropriate mandate to reply.

Your letter ignores the queries raised over the alleged ten member automatic affiliation rule and the legality or otherwise of the aspects of the AAW constitution which I raised. I also note that despite the indication that clubs who did not reply to Mr Brace’s circular of 260105 would not be treated as affiliated, AAW has nonetheless included MDC in its yearbook despite my correspondence and the club at the last check remained listed on the AAW website. I assume this is an oversight on the part of the ‘professional staff’ and that in the light of what is set out below AAW will promptly amend/update at least the website.

The decision of MDC at a properly convened and quorate AGM was that the club wishes actively to disaffiliate from AAW. For the purposes of this correspondence, MDC is prepared to ignore Mr Brace’s comments in his letter of 150704 as if he wishes to have a say in the minuting of MDC’s AGMs he would have to be a member – which he is not – and, in any event, the minutes have now been approved so that his remarks are entirely inappropriate.

The reasons for disaffiliation are these:-

1. The issues raised by the breaches of the relevant rules in force at the time including safety rules committed at Waun Fach remain unresolved despite invitations to AAW to deal in a manner considered appropriate by those concerned.

1.1 In his letter of 150704 Mr Brace effectively admits that what I understand is now the rule recognising category D races was only under discussion ie not in force at the time. The inevitable inference is that the actions in question were outside of the existing rules. That admission is long overdue yet AAW has proved itself incapable of taking the next logical step.

1.2 Despite that concession, AAW has persistently endorsed the stance of its appointees and continued its support of those individuals. Mr Brace’s suggestion that it is sufficient to have invited the then committee to move on is wholly inadequate as that is tantamount to an endorsement of a contravention of the rules by the governing body itself.

2. It is clear that MDC/race organisers cannot rely on the support it/they can properly expect from AAW when ‘the chips are down’.

2.1 It is a long standing principle within MDC that the race organiser is always right and must have the final say on safety matters in particular because it is he or she who is ultimately responsible. Any other arrangement is wholly impracticable as decisions which have to be taken on the day of the race could only be taken by a meeting of the entire club as it is the entire membership of a club which is liable if there is a breach of duty by the club as race organiser. AAW has persistently declined to recognise that the race organiser’s decision is final and binding.

2.2 The WFRA approach to insurance and safety issues enshrines that same principle and is therefore in the club’s view infinitely preferable to that of AAW. Avoidance of the insurance policy from inception at Waun Fach or costly and uncertain litigation over such an avoidance was only escaped by the good fortune that there were no accidents on the day notwithstanding the behaviour of AAW appointees – see para 1 above. Neither MDC race organisers nor the club as a whole is prepared to expose themselves or itself to such risks and liabilities at the whim of AAW.

3. The events of the past few months provide more than ample evidence that MDC members can insure their races and that the club can continue to function in the manner it sees fit outside the AAW umbrella.

3.1 The AAW letter of 240305 refers to the obligations of a club to AAw. In circumstances where in the club’s view AAW has completely failed in its supervisory/disciplinary role particularly in relation to safety considerations. MDC considers that AAW is in breach of its obligations as governing body to its constituent clubs. The obligations are reciprocal; the one way traffic and trumpeting of the official line is unacceptable.

3.2 The WFRA insurance scheme provides a format which is acceptable to MDC members (see 2.2 above). Despite untraced rumoured suggestions to the contrary, the scheme is fully effective in its own right independent of the AAW equivalent.

3.3 WFRA has a large membership of race organisers, its own calendar, website and open championship without discriminatory fee levies. There is no perceived value for money in or return on a compulsory £15 levy which would be payable by every member whether participating runner or otherwise where AAW take no interest in or put any effort into fell running at local level. As a result, WFRA-insured organisers do not need the AAW scheme with its inherent weaknesses and probably now enjoy wider support at local level than their AAW counterparts.

3.4 MDC does not need the blessing of ‘the official body’ to continue to function as it sees fit. As has been stated in previous correspondence, the club has no aspirations to the management of the sport at international level which is properly the domain of AAW. However, MDC remains the largest fell running club in southern Britain and the marked decrease in S Wales races at least in the AAW 2005 calendar demonstrates the importance of a continued relationship which AAW seems willing to sacrifice despite being given notice of the imminence of the schism. AAW risks becoming irrelevant at local level.

3.5 In the circumstances, MDC is not prepared to subscribe to the requirement in

your circular of 260103 that it will comply with AAW rules.

It is therefore with regret that MDC formally disaffiliates as not only will this impact on those of its members who compete in other disciplines but also because it appears that a continued relationship in some form may be beneficial to the sport as a whole. However, such a relationship cannot be contemplated under current circumstances; had AAW acted to address those circumstances properly as it was invited to do, it is possible that this schism could have been avoided.

Draft minutes from AGM 2005 (WORD) (PDF)

Mynyddwyr de Cymru AGM 2005 020405

1. Apologies:- Ray Eagle John Gilliard Ron Harris. Derek un-apologised as he had made it to the race and the meeting.

Present:- M Lucas K Lucas D Adlam F Parry E Meredith Mark Bryant Clive Horsfield Derek Thornley Cledwyn Jones Rhys Williams John Battersby (left during meeting) Jules Carter John Simms (left during meeting) John Sweeting Dave Gilbert

2. The minutes of AGM2004 were made available to the meeting and agreed save that John Sweeting was also there last year .

3. Matters arising would be covered later in the meeting under other items

4. Chairman’s report:- It had been a reasonably successful year for the club with record Tuesday night attendances eg 27 at the waterfalls but poorly attended races such as Llanbedr Blaenavon and Cribyn. The lack of a calendar may have played a part but organisers could have considered something more than a two line entry in the FRA calendar. Now that there were 2 or 3 calendars, the same problem should not arise and, indeed, L-B had recently enjoyed a turnout of 40 and PCC today had seen a turnout of 41.

This year also marked the 25^th birthday of the Club which had started when it was suggested that there be a run from Llanbedr to Blaenavon by Doc Buffet and Phil Dixon inter alia both of whom were still ‘around’.

The Club also now had a good website up and running webmastered by Bill Fear who was keeping it up to date. The newsletter was in decline and that needed to be addressed as only about half the membership were on the internet.

The Club had also enjoyed a very successful social evening at which Dr Stroud had spoken and thanks were given to John Aggleton for securing Dr Stroud for the occasion and Jenny and Douglas for organising venue food etc.

5. Secretary’s report:- copies of correspondence with AAW were produced to the meeting covering the matters authorised by the last AGM, the wholly inadequate response from AAW and the most recent exchange following the threat unilaterally to disaffiliate the Club by AAW. The admission by AAW that the ‘category D’ race rule was only under discussion at the time of the Waun Fach controversy was noted.

6. Treasurer’s report:- Accounts were circulated for 2004/05 showing a closing balance of £1,148.99. A reserve of kit stocks was held sale of which would provide more income in future; kit in stock was not reflected in the accounts. The expenditure on marshall’s kit packs was recorded as a discrete item but it was felt that this had been a good idea ; likewise the cost to the Club of the Dr Stroud social event with its donation to his charity was approved as a good use of the Club’s money

It was further agreed that the food provided by the landlord of the Red Lion for the meeting should be paid for by the Club rather than the Winter League.

7. MDC AAW :- this item had been announced to members in the notice of the meeting

WFRA had now been established with a current membership of c 150 with a calendar, a website and an open championship. It was suggested that the vast majority of races in Wales were now WFRA insured rather than under the AAW scheme. John a nd Martin had been to the inaugural meeting and were on the WFRA committee.

The Waun Fach issue had never been satisfactorily resolved; the same people were still involved at decision making level in AAW and they remained apparently blind to their responsibility for what had happened.

The L-B race had been intended to be a race both in the AAW and WFRA championships. AAW had however withdrawn as no AAW permit had been issued and it was therefore not an official AAW race so that it went ahead as WFRA only. It was noted that to the best of the Club’s current knowledge, the Moelwyn’s race on 23April was set to go ahead as an AAW championship race and a British Championship but under WFRA rules. This appeared to suggest a discriminatory measure of illogicality and inconsistency within AAW’s approach which smacked of double standards.

This long running issue needed to be resolved at least for the time being without wholesale regime change in AAW at the meeting?. If the Club stayed in, all members whether marshals walkers or runners or any combination would have to pay the £15 fee, all races would require risk assessments and permits and be run as Club races but the Club would still have an influence on AAW elections. If the Club left, the Club would be independent and could go its own way, but anybody wishing to be considered for or in fact to represent Wales would have to affiliate elsewhere.

A number of issues arising were then discussed including:-

· the position of those who use the fact of MDC’s affiliation to compete in other disciplines and the impact of disaffiliation on them;

· responsibility for races organised under the AAW scheme by MDC members under the banner of affiliated clubs;

· whether it was politically better for the Club to disaffiliate or for AAW to expel the Club;

· whether there should be a clean or a final and irrevocable break or any attempt to maintain a relationship outside of the strict parameters of the affiliation scheme

The motion put by Fred to the meeting supported by Clive and Dave inter alios was that the Club should actively disaffiliate from AAW stating reasons in a letter to be drafted by the secretary to be approved by the committee.

The motion was passed unanimously.

8. Elections:- Martin to continue as president, Douglas as secretary and Fred to be treasurer. John Sweeting to continue as membership secretary. As we were effectively no longer a recognised athletics club, a junior development officer was no longer a requirement; in Dick’s absence it was decided to dispense with this position. The question of club captaincy was considered but left open. The role of newsletter editor was also left open as Bill Fear had theoretically assumed this with the webmaster role; if there were difficulties Rhys Williams volunteered to assist with the production of a hard copy item for circulation.

9. AOB. The Club thanked Kay for her special contribution in marshalling everywhere (and getting a nice tan in the process today at least), writing the Winter League results software and designing/organising mugs tshirts etc

MDC Now goes Independent (WORD) (PDF)

This note is for information for those of you who were not at the club AGM on Saturday 2^nd April and who didn’t make the club run on Tuesday, and for anyone else who is interested. Doug will be circulating the draft minutes shortly but I thought a short note may be in order. This is my interpretation of what happened at the AGM and I will be happy to be corrected by the minutes.

The major item of debate at the AGM was the future of MDC with regard to Athletics Wales. Most of you know that at the 2004 AGM we decided not to disaffiliate but instead to not have any direct dealings with AW following the unresolved issues at the Waun Fach 2003 race which I hope I need not repeat here. Secretary Doug circulated various items of correspondence received from AW in the past year, which in my view amounted to an ultimatum to either undertake to comply with all their rules re registration, permits etc or for the club to be disaffiliated. We had informed them that the matter would be discussed at the AGM. Also of note is that the WFRA has been set up in the interim and the majority of Welsh races are now insured via that body.

After about an hour’s debate, at which it is fair to say the only points of view expressed were whether to formally disaffiliate or to wait until we were thrown out, a motion that we should inform AW that we no longer wished to remain an affiliated club was passed unanimously. The committee was re-elected without change.

Some of the implications of this are:

You will no longer be able to register as an athlete with AW via MDC

If you want to run for Wales or count in AW championships you must be a registered athlete. We think that you cannot do that as an individual and you will have to join an affiliated club – but check this out. We hope you will also retain your membership of MDC.

If you run in AW ‘official’ races (ie with an AW permit) you may be charged an extra pound.

If like me you run almost exclusively in WFRA races then this change will have no effect on you and you will automatically be counted in WFRA championship races with no extra fee.

I’m quite happy to discuss in more detail individually but not during Sgorio or Doctor Who please.

Welcome to Wales’s (Britain’s?) largest independent fell running club!

Martin Lucas

Chairman, MDC

25^th Llanbedr to Blaenavon Fell Race-Celebration or Requiem (Word) (PDF)

I arrived in Blaenavon 26 years ago as a fresh faced GP having served my apprenticeship in Cumbria where I acquired a liking for long fell races. At the time this was not an activity the local populous was familiar with, rugby being the only sport worth talking about. So a GP running about the hills in shorts was definitely a bit of an oddity so it was a great pleasure to discover another kindred spirit had also migrated south, one Phillip Dixon who at the time was pastor of one of the numerous chapels.

So with Philip’s evangelical flare to the fore we set about bringing Fell running to the valleys of S Wales and the race was born. The first race was in 1980 when Phillip beat 37 other hardy souls in 2hrs 10min, and with the exception of the foot and mouth year 2001 it has been held every year since. The route has undergone a few changes over the years due to changes of land ownership and access difficulties but has always featured the now notorious North face of the Blorenge as the final climb. MDC was formed about this time and with it came many other races in S Wales. So although Wales has an earlier fell running hero in Guto I guess we can claim to have reintroduced the sport to S Wales in the modern era.

The original route going E from Crug Mawr through Forest Coal Pit was my favourite even though it included a road section as it gave one a runnable route up Sugar Loaf. The way off the hill then got incorporated into a garden so next up was the direct route on this leg with the kind consent of the local farmers. I was never very keen on this one as it was a bit of a slog up Sugar Loaf which only the very fit could run. So when there were some changes in land ownership I took the opportunity to alter the route to its current format which though longer allows most people to run Sugar Loaf

By far the most successful runner over the years has been Andy Darby who won the race no less than 8 times in the 80’s and early 90’s.His best time of 1.53.38 has never been beaten and 5 of his wins broke the 2hr barrier which has only otherwise been broken by 10 others over the years. I have excluded the1986 race from these statistics as it was as a British championship race run over a slightly shorter route to accommodate the larger numbers, a record of 106. This was won by Jack Maitland in the remarkable time of 1.50.17 with the next 2 also just under Andy’s time but only Jack’s record could be considered to have bettered Andy’s performance. There have been 3 other multiple winners, Simon Forster with 3 and Mark Palmer and James McQueen with 2 each. Two vets have won the first being Les Williams in 89 and the other being John Nixon in 92 in one of the few times under 2 hrs (1.58.58). Of the ladies Lydia Gould in 92 set the best time of 2.16.13 on the old course but Menna Angharads time of 2.19.03 is arguably better given the longer route.

Numbers have been fairly consistent over the years averaging 50-60 with the occasional 80 in years when the race has been included in the Welsh championship but since the foot and mouth year numbers have fallen worryingly to 40 in 02 and 03 and to only 25 last year and of those 15 were Veterans or older.

And so to this year our 25^th anniversary and the title of this article

YES we are going to celebrate so after the race I have booked a proper meal in a local restaurant in the early evening which I hope most of the competitors will stay for and to which I shall also invite our helpers and of course we would love to see some of those who competed in earlier races joining us as well. I’m afraid I have no means of contacting most of them I can only hope they still read The Fellrunner and contact me.

Then on the Sunday we will organize a short fun race of about 5 miles as a handicap based of the previous day’s times so in theory you should all finish together. So please come and make a weekend of it, have a look around our World Heritage Industrial landscape and visit Big Pit with its fascinating underground tour which incidentally is free. Also the Archbishop of Canterbury is taking the service in our 200 year old church on Sunday for the religious amongst you We may be able to help with basic floor space or camping locally if you need it.

BUT- There seems to an undeclared civil war going on within Welsh Fell running between AAW and the reformed WFRA both of which are currently hoping to use our race as part of there separate Welsh Championships. Both have there own and separate insurance policies only one of which can be used for any given race. So at present I don’t know under which banner the race will be run or if the other group whichever it is will turn up or boycott the race. Most of my helpers come from MDC which has mostly gone with the WFRA but my son needs to be associated with AAW for team selection purposes. So I am kind of stuck in the middle and with already lower numbers competing we can’t afford to split our numbers further. We are traditionally the first significant race of the new season in Wales so time is short to sort out this mess.

So there we have it I’m planning to celebrate but without everyone’s support this could be the 25^th and final Llanbedr to Blaenavon race.

As I need to have numbers in advance for the meal please enter in advance on a form obtainable from my address. Meanwhile I am keeping my fingers crossed!!