Skyline Wales

Skyline

I sighted the distant horizon,
Where the haze touched the blue,
In my heart, a dream,
To chase that endless view.

Info Page here Entry Link here

• Saturday 26th June 2027
• £55 + voluntary donation to mountain rescue
• Classic – 102km/63mile 4680m/15340ft BL SER NS – 18 hour
• Eilydd course – 75km/47mile & start time TBC
• Picnic course – 57km/35milr & start time TBC

Classic Start – Barmouth 4am.

Finish – Llandegla OPA 10pm cut-off all courses.

Limited entries – all course options.

Linear course. GPS tracked. WFRA rules throughout (no navigation aids). All mandatory safety kit must be carried/worn at all times. There will be kit checks. There is a time limit of 10pm at OPA & strict cut-off times will be enforced.

The course traverses the continuous band of high mountain & moorland seen as the South Eastern skyline when viewed from almost all high ground in North Wales (see skyline pdf below). It follows Leverton’s Line (Mercia’s Charlie Leverton) in the main – though running in the opposite direction and carrying on a bit further… (but with the prevailing wind and the ‘easier’ running towards the end is my thinking). I knew nothing about Charlie’s exploits 35 years earlier as I sat on Foel Fenlli one evening and schemed with my RO’s brain at the skyline I have looked at for over 20 years but never truly seen before.

The course provides some glorious running in places, though in others your movement will more resemble wading in a deep (heather) river and even following a prolonged dry spell some of the terrain will be wet underfoot. Always high, crossing some of the remotest moorland landscape in Wales, the race is a true test of physical & mental stamina and mountain-craft.

The Eilydd 75k course starts just south of CP2 and climbs up onto the Waun Oer summit before joining the classic course. The Picnic 57k course heads up Foel y Geifr (joining the heather “fun” just before CP4).

Entrants will be vetted for experience, capability & attitude. Limited entries – due to safety restrictions.

Entrants must have support crew (transport) capable to retrieve them from one of the road crossing checkpoints (in a sensible timeframe) if you retire or miss a cut-off. One “crew” can support two runners maximum. The support crew are not needed to shadow you throughout but need to be on hand to pick you up if you retire i.e. the marshals & safety team are not there to provide transport.

Due to the length & nature of the course on the Full and Eilydd option, a support runner is allowed from CP5 Milltir Gerrig (63km). A support runner is recommended to those runners who have not previously run such a distance but not essential. No muling allowed (carrying provisions etc). The support runner must be suitably equipped and experienced to support the required leg/final legs (up to 40km, 1350m). There will be a charge to cover an additional GPS tracking module for the support runner.

Support crews are only allowed to service certain road crossing checkpoints (due to lack of parking & vehicle access). Drop-bags will be provided for intermediate checkpoints if runners require. Only basic ‘fell running’ provisions will be available at road checkpoints i.e. water & snacks.

The 18 hour limit and strict cut-offs on the full course will exclude some runners from the event. The shorter courses open the race up to more runners. Extending beyond 18 hours brings darkness into play, which is beyond my current safety margin for the race. That is not to say if we are successful with this race that a longer duration event will not be considered in future. The skyline picture above above does have another sheet – just saying… Why not offer your support to help make it a success either as marshal or as a support runner? Marshals or support runners get a 25% discount against entry in future years.

Price wise I will only aim to cover costs as per WFRA guidelines. GPS tracking widgets are not cheap plus I will aim to cover fuel expenses for marshalling & safety crews. That said, I will be asking for voluntary donations to NEWSAR Mountain Rescue team on top who will be your safety backstop for the day. They are worth every penny for the day you or a friend need them.

There will be likely be a facility to shuttle overnight bags from Barmouth on the morning of race to the finish at Llandegla (though ask beforehand). Camping is available at Llandegla Fisheries close to the finish.

Shout up if you have a query skylinewales100@gmail.com