Tintern Trot
The 20th annual Tintern Trot took place on July 6th, 2017. The race is a 6-mile scenic journey through the Wye Valley in the shadow of the breathtaking Tintern Abbey. The Trot is very popular with runners from clubs across south Wales and the south west descending upon Tintern for the evening race with all 300 places usually selling out.
A small contingent from PBBRC entered the race – Sam Lewis Jones, Sian Jones, Richard Price, Richard Sheehy, Robert Gale, Helen Williams, Julie Cashell, Rhys Lewis and Nicola Lewis – and we had a enough for two teams but other clubs were out in force so not much chance of any team prizes. However, Julie Cashell did claim 3rd FV40.
The Course
The course is challenging with some steep ascents and descents as it winds it’s way through places such as Black Morgan’s Wood, Lippets Grove and down Madgett Hill. The first mile or so is completely flat before being face with the first steep ascent. At the top you can catch your breath and tie your shoe lace (I didn’t learn from when my lace came undone during the Iron Trail 5!) before running another mile or so along an undulating wide track. You’re then hit with the steepest ascent on the course, one so steep that only the hardcore will run the entire length of. The rest of us power hike the majority of it.
At the summit of the hill you join Offa’s Dyke for a fast and very technical section littered with boulders and tree roots. The risk of twisting an ankle is very real but it’s a fun part of the course. The fell runners use this section to their advantage and pick up speed on the descents whilst the more cautious tip-toe around the obstacles.
Madgett Hill, named after a local farm, is the best opportunity to gain some time – if you are fearless enough. The very fast descent leads down to Brockweir and it’s fun watching the fell runners speeding down the hill.
Another mile or so of undulating track which gradually ascends up to the a rocky descent – a fell runners dream – and back onto a flat section across the Wye into Tintern.
The race entry includes a free pint of beer/cider or tea/coffee and cake afterwards which ensures that runners stick around to enjoy the atmosphere, watch the awards and grab some team photographs.
Results
| Name | Time |
|---|---|
| Sam Lewis Jones | 41:13 |
| Richard Sheehy | 47:22 |
| Richard Price | 47:43 |
| Julie Cashell | 50:28 |
| Robert Gale | 50:50 |
| Sian Jones | 52:13 |
| Helen Williams | 01:00:15 |
| Rhys Lewis | 01:12:30 |
| Nicola Lewis | 01:29:18 |
Got something to say?