2012 Race Entry

The one you've been waiting for? The following email been dispatched by Richard to those who've taken part or expressed interest in the WCR. Good luck everyone and thanks for your support. 

Note also that we have a new WCR team member - Amanda Thompson - who's boldy agreed to take on the role of WCR Race Registrar. Amanda is a relatively new but very enthusiastic member of Les Croups and we are so grateful for her help in managing the 2012 WCR. Please co-operate with her at every stage of the application and registration process...

Dear Fellow Runner

Happy New Year.  I am sure this is the email you have all been waiting for, just to encourage you and your colleagues to pick up your training after the festive period!

I attach details and an entry form for the 30^th Welsh Castles Relay 2012 (available as a word document and a pdf). The race, a highlight in the running calendar, will take place this year on Saturday and Sunday, 9^th and 10^th June, 2012. At this stage, this is obviously subject to (i) confirmation of sponsorship, (ii) relevant permissions being granted, (iii) any other unforeseen circumstances.

Please return the application form to Amanda Thompson, WCR Race Registrar (contact details: 189 Mackintosh Place, Roath, Cardiff CF24 4RP; tel: 07929001048; email: amjanette@virginmedia.com) by Friday 9^th March at the very latest with the appropriate fee (£350 for Club entries and £575 for Business Houses).

Please read the Entry and Race Rules carefully; there are no changes this year. Note that veterans are females/males aged 35 or over on race day.

We will let you know if your application has been successful by mid-March.

Good luck and we hope to see you in June.

With all best wishes for 2012.

Richard Brewer

Race Co-ordinator

Sale Harriers 2011 Race Video

Forget watching repeats of The Alamo over the Christmas Holiday period. Sale have done it again, releasing another blockbuster. Here is their video of the 2011 Welsh Castles Relay race. Enjoy (but be patient - its a big file!)

2012 Castles Race

Hi everyone - we've just about recovered from the 2011 race and are, needless to say, already looking ahead and planning for the Big One. 

Can we confirm, therefore, that the 2012 Welsh Castles Relay will take place over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of June.

This promises to be a very special occasion - the 30th running of the race in Olympic Year no doubt increasing still further interest in the race (and the demand for participation in!)

Watch this space for details of entry to the 2012 WCR...

Mr Castles, Alan Thomas, RIP...

Alan Thomas (centre) alongside Club Chairman John Griffin (left) and current WCR Race Director Richard Brewer (right) at the 2009 CastlesIt is with deepest regret that we have to inform you that the former Castles Relay Director Alan Thomas passed away this morning (Saturday the 5th November).

The WCR Committee, members of Les Croupiers Running Club, and no doubt everyone associated with the Castles, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news.

Alan had been battling with cancer and associated illness for some time but had looked much improved when he popped down to the club house on Thursday the 27th October to collect a much deserved Welsh Athletics Meritorious Award for services to athletics and the WCR.

Alan's health had deterioated over the last week however, and unfortunately he lost his fight for life this morning. Our thoughts go out to Jean and Alan's family at this very sad time.

Update on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 2:04PM by The Editor

Alan finishing London in 2000In the 2010 we gave Alan the 'green room treatment' and interviewed him in the WCR Race Programme. This was done in part to mark his standing down as Race Co-ordinator, but also because there were some big questions that needed answers (e.g. Where did you get that hat?!)

It was an emotional time - needless to say wild horses could'nt keep away from the 2011 race...

Here is an extract of what he said in 2010:

When did you first become involved in the Castles?

1988/1989. Reg Rossiter (the then Race Co-ordinator) asked me if I would like to help. I jumped at the chance. HE WAS MY BOSS AT THE TIME.  I was eventually persuaded to become Race Co-ordinator in 2003 after a very long apprenticeship.

How many teams were involved then?

We increased from 33 to 35 in 1989 and it has continued to grow.

Are you amazed at the growth and success of the Castles as an event in the Racing Calendar?

Not really, having seen how teams enjoyed themselves.

What is the best moment in all the years you have been involved in the Castles?

Finding a willing and capable deputy to continue the success of the Castles.

Name one thing that you will not let ‘Castles organization’ interrupt?

I haven’t found one yet. 

How many times have you run the race yourself?

Three. Three. Stage 2, 6 and 13. I suppose I’d have to say that the most enjoyable stage was running stage 13 since this was the only one I volunteered to run. The other two I was told on the Friday night in Caernarfon that I had to run the next day owing to team injuries. The saddest was stage 2, for it was the year Woody (Jeff Wood, Les Croupiers) died on the finish line of stage 1.

Where did your ‘silly’ hat, which is part of the ‘Castles’ tradition, come from?

A street market in Tunisia.

What will you miss most about the ‘Castles’ when you take a back seat?

Barking at inconsiderate team minibus drivers.

Will your wife, Jean, be happy that you will be reducing your commitment to this annual event of organizing 20 races in 2 days?

“Not really, it keeps him out of mischief and my hair” (says Jean)   

Will we still see you on ‘Castles’ weekend?

Try stopping me.

Final results for the 2011 race

The final results for the 2011 race are now available and on-line.

Many thanks to John Upstone and Jeff Aston for compiling and for taking-on board several amendments, the biggest of which (following a transposition error on Stage 19) resulted in the Croups Vets Team victory over Swansea Harriers falling from a comfy 10 plus minutes (time enough to stop for a cuppa) to a nail-biting 21 seconds. Not bad following 24+ hours of racing!