Seven Farnham Runners take on Gower Trail Races in Wales

Seven Farnham Runners travelled to Wales to take part in the Gower Trail Races.

The Gower Trail Races are long-distance events organised by the Run Walk Crawl company which follow the Wales Coast Path along the Gower Peninsula.

Billie McCulloch, Nicola O’Connor, Sue Taylor and Kate Townsend ran the Gower Trail Race – a 23-mile event from Rhossilli to Mumbles.

Tanya Bricknell, Colette Grist and Linda Tyler took on the Gower Ultra 50-mile circumnavigation of the entire Gower Peninsula.

Conditions were perfect for the event, with clear blue skies and sunshine throughout the day – and clear skies at night.

The ultra started off mainly on roads following the north Gower coast.

Runners were able to change into trail shoes after the first 16 miles to complete the rest of the course – a mixture of fields, woodland and beach to begin with, before joining the start of the trail race which followed the tricky coastal path from Rhossilli, including a long sandy beach and sand dunes of epic proportions.

Runners were rewarded with stunning scenery, excellent aid stations and very friendly volunteers throughout the race.

Billie, Sue and Kate ran together and completed the trail race in 6:57.45. Nicola crossed the finish line in 8:49.37.

Tanya, Colette and Linda ran most of the 50 miles together, having to navigate the last four-and-a-half hours in darkness.

Tanya finished in 15:26.32, while Colette and Linda were relieved to cross the finish line in 15:27.20 – just ahead of the strict 15-and-a-half-hour deadline.

“It was seriously tough but breathtakingly beautiful,” said Kate.

“We enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery in the country,” said Sue.

“Amazing views in the sunshine with the best company and support got us across the finish line,” added Colette.