GLCL 2019/20 XC SERIES RACE 3 of 5; Sunday 5th January, Monmouth

GLCL 2019/20 XC SERIES RACE 3 of 5; Sunday 5th January, Monmouth

Thank you to Toby Wales from Spirit of Monmouth Running Club for providing the detailed information below for GLCL 2019/20 XC Series race 3.
Please pay close attention to car parking instructions and also note limited availability of toilet facilities which are not to be used as changing facilities.
Venue : Humble By Nature, Upper Meend Farm, Monmouth NP25 4RP (see map below)

This is a closed event solely for members of the 9 Clubs in the Gwent Leisure Centre League.
Spirit Of Monmouth Running Club would like to welcome you to the third fixture of the 2019/20 XC series, at Humble By Nature Farm, Penallt. A fantastic varied terrain cross country course featuring hills, grass, mud and technical woodland sections, a few miles outside Monmouth.

Race start time 11am
Senior Men and Senior Women – 2 laps x approx 2.35 mi and total distance is 4.8 mi approx (see map below)
 PARKING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED AT HUMBLE BY NATURE IT IS CRITICAL THAT RUNNERS CAR SHARE AND IF THE WEATHER HAS BEEN BAD PARKING WILL BE LIMITED FURTHER – IF RUNNERS TURN UP WITH ONE PERSON IN A CAR THEY WILL BE ASKED TO PARK IN PENALLT VILLAGE OVER A MILE AWAY AND PRIORITY GIVEN TO RUNNERS WHO HAVE FULL CARS.

Please note all parking in Monmouth itself on a Sunday is free, runners could opt to meet in Monmouth at the car park close to the Monnow Bridge to lift share from there.

As the venue is located in a small village and its continued use relies on the goodwill of the local community we request that all runners park considerately at all times and listen to the marshals.

THERE ARE VERY LIMITED TOILET FACILITIES AT HUMBLE BY NATURE, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE TOILETS AS CHANGING ROOMS. 

This year, the area previously used as a bag drop will not be available, so please keep your bags etc. in your cars during the race.

RACE INFORMATION

Please take time to familiarise yourself with the course there is a map attached.
Headphones : All GLCL races are strictly no headphone events. If you observe any runner wearing headphones of any type, please ask them to remove them or point them out to a marshal. Runners that insist on wearing headphones will be asked to withdraw from the race and their club could be penalised. 
You will be directed to the start by marshals and signs, the race will start around 400m from the farm and will be clearly marked by flags. Runners will follow the boundaries of the fields throughout and will be directed by marshals and stakes/posts. The course is not the same as previous years and has been adapted for the new distance, you will also be running in the opposite direction than before. After the 2 laps, runners will be directed by marshals to make a left-hand turn into the finish funnel at the end of the first field. Once runners have crossed the finish line, they must stay in their finishing order and collect a token from the marshal. Runners are then requested to move away from the finish line promptly to avoid unnecessary congestion. Finish tokens should be given to your team manager who will record your club results.
We request that once runners have finished their run, they do not use the course to warm down, if you wish to warm down please any of the other fields. We also encourage all runners to support their team mates as they complete the course, but ask that you please stay off the course as you cheer your runners home!
Hazards - The course does contain a number of potential hazards as you would expect at any cross country race, these include, tree roots, rocky ground, tree stumps, branches, bushes, and uneven ground also lots of mole hills. As the course is all grassland, if the weather has been wet prior to race day, the course is likely to be boggy, muddy and slippery in places. Please can all participants wear appropriate footwear for the nature of the course, it is suitable for spikes.
First Aid - St John Ambulance will be in attendance for the duration of the race.
There will be no water stations available on the course and no water will be provided at the finish. Please bring your own drinks as required. Please ensure that you take all rubbish with you when you leave the venue and respect the farm.

Updated Results After GLCL 2019/20 XC Series Race 2

The GLCL website has been updated with the following results :

Confirmed results for GLCL 2019/20 XC Series Race 2 Sun. 17th Nov.

GLCL 2019/20 XC Series after 2 of 5 races.

Combined GLCL 2019/20 XC and Road Series after 2 of 5 races.

Click on link below to view.

Results Updated After GLCL 2019/20 XC Series Race 2

GLCL 2019 XC SERIES RACE 2 PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Provisional results for GLCL 2019 XC Series, Race 2, Pontllanfraith (Islwyn Running Club), Sun. 17th Nov. 2019 are available by clicking on the link below :

GLCL RESULTS

GLCL 2019/20 XC Series Race 2, Pontllanfraith, Sunday 17th November

GLCL 2019/20 XC Series Race 2 will be held at Pontllanfraith council offices (NP12 2YU) Sunday 17th November @11 a.m. 

This race is hosted by Islwyn Running Club.

The race will consist of 3 laps with a clockwise lap of field B to start to thin the field out.

Total race distance approx. 4.5 miles

.

Parking is limited at the council offices and the main car parking will be at Pontllanfraith Rugby Club (NP12 2JF) and at Tram Rd.

Be aware there is a chapel opposite the rugby club and you will be asked not to park outside the chapel.

Toilet facilities will be available at the rugby club and the club will be open after the race.

From the rugby club to the XC course is a short walk.

Cross the main road and follow the path by the side of the vets and then left through a gate to access the course (marshals will be on hand to guide you).

Please note that the road between Cross Keys roundabout via Ynysddu to Blackwood will be closed on Sunday.
"Due to essential land drainage improvement works taking place on the Wyllie Bends the B4251 Gelligroes to Ynysddu will be closed to all traffic both ways from 8pm on Friday 15th November until 6am on Monday 18th November."

GLCL Results Updated on GLCL Website

The GLCL website has been updated with the following results;

   Confirmed results for 2019/20 XC Race 1,

   XC Series after 1 of 5 races,

   Combined Series after 1 of 10 races.

Click on the link below :

GLCL Results

GLCL 2019~20 XC Series Race 1 Provisional Results

Results for GLCL 2019~20 XC Series Race 1, Sunday 20th October, Parc Bryn Bach are available on the GLCL website.
Click on the link below :

GLCL 2019~20 Race 1 Provisional Results

GLCL 2019/20 XC SERIES RACE 1 of 5; Sunday 20th October, Parc Bryn Bach

GLCL 2019/20 XC SERIES RACE 1 of 5; Sunday 20th October, Parc Bryn Bach.

Details for GLCL 2019/20 XC Series Race 1 at Parc Bryn Bach.
Please take a few minutes to read this information.
Note restrictions for car parking.
Many thanks to Damian and everyone at Parc Bryn Bach Running Club for preparing this information.
After the race there will be a presentation to the winners & runners up of the GLCL 2019 Road Race Series and the 2018/19 Combined XC and Road Race Series.

2019 GLCL Road Race Awards and 2018/19 Combined XC & Road Race Awards

2019 GLCL Road Race Awards and 2018/19 Combined XC & Road Race Awards

Congratulations to all winners and runners up in the 2019 GLCL Road Race Series and in the 2018/19 GLCL Combined XC & Road Race Series.

Awards will be presented after the 1st race of the 2019/20 XC Series at Parc Bryn Bach on Sun. 20th Oct. 2019.

Licence and Risk Assessment for GLCL 2019 Road Race Series, Race 5, Tuesday 6th August, Cwmbran

Licence and Risk Assessment for GLCL 2019 Road Race Series, Race 5.
Tuesday 6th August, Cwmbran

GLCL 2019 Road Race Series, Race 5, Tuesday 6th August, Cwmbran

GLCL 2019 Road Race Series Race 5.


The fifth and final race of the 2019 GLCL Road Race Series is jointly hosted 
by Fairwater Runners Cwmbran and Griffithstown Harriers on Tuesday 6th August.

Race HQ is The Olive Tree, Edlogan Way, Cwmbran NP44 2JJ.

Race starts at 7:30pm.

Car parking is limited at The Olive Tree, please car share if possible.

Marshals will advise you on the night of alternative car parking (see car parking map).

Toilet facilities are available at The Olive Tree.
You will also be able to purchase refreshments at The Olive Tree.

Remember that water / drink stations are not provided at GLCL races, it is the responsibility of the participants and their clubs to ensure runners have water.

The course (see route map) this year is the same as 2018, except for a small change to the finish, approx. 5.5 mile route starting with a loop of Northfield and Southfield before joining Llanfrechfa Way then onto Llanyravon Way, Woodland Road, and the river path to the finish at Northfield outside The Olive Tree. Instead of finishing on the straight path leading towards The Olive Tree as in 2018, the finish this year will be turn left in front of The Olive Tree and then finish along side more or less at the location of the start. (see finish detail map).

Please remember that others will be using the footpaths etc.

GLCL 2019 Road Race Series, Race 4, Tuesday 2nd July

GLCL 2019 Road Series Race 4 of 5 takes place on Tuesday 2nd July at Coed Cefn-pwll-du, Machen, CF83 8NX.
Race starts at 7:30pm.
This race is hosted by Lliswerry Runners, please see information kindly provided by them.
Link to Important Information from Lliswerry Runners

GLCL 2019 Road Race Series, Race 3, Pontypool, Tues. 4th June

GLCL 2019 Road Race Series Race 3 is hosted by Pont-y-pwl & District Runners on Tuesday 4th June at Pontypool Park, Pontypool NP4 8AT.
Start time 7:30 pm.
There are several free car parking locations available in Pontypool close to the park, but as always please car share where possible.
See attached map.
Race distance is approx. 6.5 miles.
See attached course map.
After the race there will be an awards presentation for the winners and runners up of the GLCL 2018/19 XC Series, please stay and help congratulate the award recipients if possible.

Tuesday 21st May; 2019 GLCL Road Race Series Race 2; Penallta

Tuesday 21st May;
2019 GLCL Road Race Series Race 2.
Penallta, hosted by Islwyn Running Club
The race starts at 7:30 pm
  Race HQ :
  Business and Technology Centre,
  Tredomen Park
  Ystrad Mynach,
  CF82 7FN
Car parking at the business centre.
Toilets available at the business centre
The course is approx. 4.8 miles,
Starting in the park, two laps of the hill, a mix of tarmac and stone/gravel path in the park, and then a flat run-in on tarmac to finish in front of the business centre
Allow 15 mins to get to the start from the car park.
See attached map for location of race HQ and map of run route.

GLCL 2019 ROAD RACE SERIES RACE 1 INFORMATION

Information for GLCL 2019 Road Race Series Race 1, Tuesday 7th May, hosted by Parc Bryn Bach Running Club at Bryn Bach Parc, Merthyr Road, Tredegar, NP22 3AY. 7:30pm start.
Thank you to Damian and Richard at Parc Bryn Bach Running Club for providing this information.

GLCL 2019 ROAD RACE DATES & VENUES.

GLCL 2019 ROAD RACE DATES & VENUES.
Further details will be published approx. one week before race day.

Feedback From GLCL Representatives Meeting Held Sun 14th April 2019

See below notes taken at the GLCL representatives meeting held Sun. 14th April 2019.
If you have any questions, please speak to your clubs GLCL representative.

GLCL Club Representatives Meeting Sun. 14th April 2019

Representatives of the 10 GLCL clubs will meet Sun. 14th April to review GLCL topics :
Agenda :
1)   Review finances
2)   Review 2018/19 XC Series :
a)   Equal distance, feedback from clubs & runners?
b)   Confirm whose responsibility it is to cancel a GLCL race due to weather etc.
c)   Suggestion for afternoon start time when temperature is freezing?
3)   Mandatory requirement for a tail runner at GLCL races?
4)   Should there be a time cut off at GLCL races?
5)   Compile list of referees and adjudicators from GLCL clubs.
6)   Confirm meaning of ‘other discipline first claim’ runners
7)   Preparation for 2019 Road Races
8)   Proposals for 2019/20 XC Race dates & venues
9)   Offer of sponsorship from Moti Cwmbran
10)  Will there be an increase in permit costs for road races (permit now from Runbritain)?
11)  Will there be costs for some venues? (e.g. Torfaen seem to be charging for use of parks etc.)
12)  Any other items, to be add as required.

Speak to your clubs GLCL representative before the meeting if you wish to have any other topics discussed etc.

Thanks
Martyn

GLCL 2018~19 XC RACE SERIES Winners & Runners Up

Congratulations to all the winners and runners up in the GLCL 2018~19 XC Race Series.

Information for GLCL XC Race 5 of 5, Sunday 10th March 2019, Hosted by Caerleon Running Club.

Information for the 5th and final race of the 2018/19 GLCL XC Series, Sunday 10th March 2019, hosted by Caerleon Running Club at The Glebelands, St.Julians, Newport.
Thank you Gareth Howells, Caerleon Running Club, for providing this information.

Information for GLCL XC Race 4, Sunday 3rd February 2019, Hosted by Usk Runners.

Usk Runners are hosting the Gwent Leisure Centre League Cross Country Race on Sunday 3rd  February 2019 at 11am. Parking at Usk County Hall, A472.

Below you will find all the information you need for the race.

Usk Runners Cross Country Briefing.

Location- Usk County Hall and agricultural land behind Colleg Gwent in the vicinity of Rhdyr Bridge and the dismantled railway line running alongside the A472 in the direction of Pontypool.

Usk Runners are hosting the fourth cross country event of the 2018-19 season. We are sending this information around to all clubs so that it can be circulated to members.

This is the third consecutive year we have hosted the event at Usk College Farm and we hope it will be as successful as our first year in 2016 .  It is challenging but suitable to runners of most levels. There are areas of extended ascent and descent as well as a long, flat intervals.

1st Aid will be provided by St Johns Ambulance. There will not be any post race refreshments provided. Runners should bring their own fluid to consume in the college grounds on the opposite side of the road by the parking area  but are requested not to bring this on to the farm itself due to hygiene regulations.

 

Start of race

The race will start on a dismantled railway line accessed via Colleg Gwent farm which is located alongside  the Pontypool bound carriageway of the A472. The land is entirely private, owned by Colleg Gwent. The route includes a dismantled railway, Rhydr Bridge, hills and a wooded area in the vicinity of Berthin Brook and Coed-y-Bristley. High pasture land dominates the route. Stewards will direct you to the start.

The start and finish will be on the dismantled railway line in the vicinity of the college farm.

The Route

Spikes are suitable for this route  – unless the conditions are unusually dry exposing a hard surface to the disused railway track. Spikes need to  be carried across the hard courtyard surfaces of the farm/college/road and put on at the start.     

The course will be run over laps of approximately 1.7 miles with men and women completing 3 laps.  Although the route is mainly agricultural land it is considerably diverse in elevation and type. A dismantled railway line, fallow fields, woods and high pasture give this route a stunning  visual panorama as well as  constantly changing terrain underfoot.

The start of the course will consist of several hundreds of metres of flat, dismantled railway line. The ground is very likely to be muddy. The route crosses through a gate into what appears to be a fallow field with a pond at its centre. The route will take the runners along the edge of the field well away from the pond.      The runners will be taken to a small wood and there begins the elevated section. Undergrowth through the wood will be cut back and hazards either removed or indicated. Tape and stewards will point out the route. The route climbs steeply through the wood and enters pasture land that may contain sheep. Runners should run alongside hedgerows  until the top of the field where they will be directed through a gate. Here the land flattens out before descending back to the dismantled railway line via the nearside fence before finishing near the starting line.  Stewards will be present throughout the route to highlight perceived hazards and direct runners.

The initial section of the race is long, straight and flat- but only narrow road width. Faster runners should access the front and slower runners the rear.  This should encourage runners to stretch out. Once clear of the railway line, apart from the wood where stewards will be present  the route is almost entirely visible to observers situated on the high pasture.  This area is readily accessed via a dirt track from the college farm and would be a good vantage point for St Johns ambulance personnel, subject to conditions and preference. (see course map)

Parking

Parking is located at the new Monmouthshire County Hall in Usk. The car park should be able to accommodate a large number of vehicles but runners are encouraged to car share. The post code for Satnav users is NP15 1GA. This is a new postcode so if you have an old Satnav use the college code of NP15 1XJ. (see location map)

Changing facilities and refreshments

Toilet facilities are available on the farm;  no refreshments are provided for runners. Runners should change in the car park and are encouraged to follow the directions of stewards to cross the road at the pelican crossing opposite the college farm.

Caution

A final word of caution. The college farm has generously lent us their facilities and land and it is Usk Runners’ wish that we treat their property with due care. We do want to use their facilities in the future. I would ask that all participants and observers treat the college facilities and surrounding farm land with respect.  Please do not bring dogs to this event. The farm yard contains cows in the barns and sheep are on the pastureland.  Unfortunately there is no scope for GLCL runners to run the course beforehand – but most will now be familiar with the venue.

Please read risk assessment.