GLCL Road Race # 5 - Cwmbran

Yesterday was the 5th and final race in the GLCL Road Race League for 2017 and hosted jointly between Fairwater Runners and Griffithstown Harriers, both clubs being located in Cwmbran.

The atmosphere at these events is always buzzing, with 548 runners from ten local clubs chit chatting away before the race, and club photo's taken.

Caerleon Running Club ready for action

The call came from the organisers and we had a short, 5 minute walk to the start position where we were told the do's and don'ts of this race. Ear phones not allowed, keep to the pavements and do not run on the road sections, etc.

The course begins on a quiet section of road before we have to get onto the pavement for a few hundred metres before turning into the park.

The start

Me in the white cap

Just after the start with new girl Lowena in the pink on the right. She's going to be a fast runner I think

The path is followed to the far end of the park where we then crossed a small bridge spanning the river, then we followed the path again back in the opposite direction and heading back to the road. This then heads along a shallow hill for some way before turning left and heading back down to the park and along the paths following both sides of the river again to the finish line.

Approaching the top of the hill

Running through the park the first time

From my perspective there isn't much to say about my race, other than all went well and I had a good pace on. As I was approaching the finish line with about 100 metres to go, I could hear someone behind me and a quick glance behind confirmed that someone was right on my heels, although I couldn't make out who it was. He came level with my shoulder and I hit the gas pedal, but this guy was a good 10 years younger than me and I couldn't match his pace in the last 20 metres and with my energy levels now well and truly sapped, I just couldn't keep the pace up and he finished just before me. I then realised it was Tony Derrick from my own club. We did have a good laugh about that just beyond the finish line.

The usual thing we do after one of these races is to all get together for cake and tea/coffee and a chat, and yesterday was no different.

The route and my pace details.

So that is the end of the summer GLCL road race league season. However, the GLCL cross country season begins in October, hosted by Bryn Bach Parc running club. I'm looking forward to this as I haven't done a cross country before and it'll be a good introduction to trail running, which I'm going to get into next year.