On Friday, July 26, an enthusiastic group of runners from the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club embarked on an ambitious challenge: running the entire 177 miles of the Offa’s Dyke path from Prestatyn to Chepstow reports Sian Burns
The event, meticulously organized by the club's chairperson, Barry Burns, saw a dedicated team set out under perfect weather conditions.
With blue skies and a refreshing cool breeze, the runners were in high spirits as they set out to tackle the demanding routes that lay ahead.The initial six starting runners included Barry Burns, Sian Burns, Martin Blakeborough, Luke Blakeborough, Debbie Blakeborough, and Stuart Penny, a former club chair.
The journey began with a steep climb out of Prestatyn, rewarded by spectacular views of the coastline, setting a picturesque tone for the gruelling trek ahead. Spirit members Renske Bouwens joined the team from Bodfari, and Kirk Hill joined in at Llandegla.
The route, a challenging and hilly 85 km, was divided into 13 legs, allowing the runners to rest and regroup while appreciating the breathtaking scenery of North Wales.
Special thanks to Emily Harrison and Ruairi Davies from Ludus Gym, who heroically stepped up to complete the challenging last three legs on Friday and the first three legs early on Saturday. Their contribution was invaluable in ensuring the continuity and success of the run.Saturday saw four more Spirit of Monmouth runners joining the group: Rachel Waters, Richard Wonson, Jo Martin, and James Hague.
They tackled routes with very steep ascents, testing their endurance and strength. Despite the challenges, the spectacular views and scenery of mid Wales provided ample reward. The day's final leg concluded just before Hay on Wye, with the runners covering approximately 100 km throughout day 2.Sunday began with two groups setting out on their respective paths.
The first group continued from Hay with a misty early morning start that soon cleared, presenting another superb day for running through the stunning landscapes of South Wales. Club runner Keith Penny joined Hay Buff and impressively continued to run the entire 40 km to Monmouth. Andrew Davies joined the group for the final leg of the day, which saw the runners finish at Monnow Bridge in Monmouth.Meanwhile, the second group started from Chepstow and ran up to Monmouth.
Special mentions go to Cathy Fletcher and Marina Wright, who ran the entire 31 km distance into Monmouth. They were joined along the way by Sally Williams, Trish Bicknell, Jeremy Creasey, Charlotte and Paul Brown, James Exton, and Stephen and Alison McMenemy.
Throughout the weekend, family members provided invaluable support transporting runners between legs and providing much-needed refreshments.This was a true team effort enjoyed by all participants, offering runners of all abilities a fantastic opportunity to socialise and experience running through our beautiful Welsh landscapes.
For those interested in joining the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club, please visit our website for more information.