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Anglesey Ring of Fire

ANTHONY HALL 17 SEP 2012

Recently got back from the beautiful Isle of Anglesey after competing in the first ever Ring o Fire 131 mile ultra marathon challenge. Registration took place at Breakwater Park Holyhead where there was a real party atmosphere. No surprise that the resident DJ was blasting out a bit of Johnny Cash.

Leg 1 was 32 miles and the route practically followed the coastal path around the island. The race started and we were lead by a pacer who guided us around Holyhead town until we joined the coastal path approximately two miles on.

We followed the path and after 8 miles or so the route reaches the Alaw Estuary. We had been briefed at the start that we would have to remove our shoes and socks and wade approximately a quarter of a mile to the other side. Trying to remove the sand from wet feet before putting your socks back on was impossible.

Following the coast the terrain went from cliff tops to boulder filled beaches with overhanging caves and coves. The scenery was simply breath-taking and took your mind off the actual running (and the blister that had formed on my instep). The highlight of the day had to be reaching Porth Wen where I was stopped in my tracks at the sight of a pod of porpoise playing together in the bay.

The first nights accommodation was at the village hall in Amlwch. The facilities were really basic; there were kitchen facilities but no showers. After a good stand up wash and a bite to eat I selected my spot on the floor of the hall and tried to get some sleep however this was really difficult as there were still people finishing and others going about their night time routine.

Day 2 started with one of the organisers, Q, entering the village hall at 5am with his stereo blasting playing, you guessed, Ring of Fire. If you weren't awake already you were then.

Today’s leg was 64 miles started at 6am continuing to follow the coastal path in a clockwise direction towards Beaumaris. At Beaumaris the route took us under the Menai Bridge at Porthaethwy where the stunning views of the Snowdonia Mountain range could be seen across the water. We then ran through the cornfields until we reached the stepping stones to Newborough Forest. We ran down the side of the forest on a sand track which took us to the dunes at Llanddwyn Bay. To ensure competitors were following the correct route we ran across the beach to a rocky outcrop to the lighthouse on Llanddwyn Island where we had to take a page out of a book (50 Shades of Grey!). Also in the lighthouse were disposable cameras which we were encouraged to use to record our journeys.

We returned to the main island back onto the sand dunes to the next checkpoint. The night was drawing in at this stage and it had started to rain. The sand was really soft and after 50+ miles with little energy in your legs anyway was extremely draining. I was glad to get off the beach before nightfall. The last 6 miles was mainly fields and glow sticks had been hung from the stiles to assist. It later transpired that a number of runners had got lost in the forest as darkness fell and had to spend the night there. The leg ended at Aberffraw where we were greeted with a hearty bowl of pasta and ratatouille.

On day 3 (35 miles) only 29 runners started the day and one of those pulled out after 30 mins. We headed towards Rhosneigr to checkpoint 1 which happened to be one of the race organiser's (Bing) mum's cafe. We followed the coastal path past Cymran Bay and RAF Valley where Prince William is based. The helicopter and lifeboat were in the bay performing a training exercise. The route thereafter took us around the cliffs of Rhoscolyn to the last checkpoint at Trearddur Bay.

The final part of the course took us back to Holyhead Island to an outcrop of rocks called Goferydd to South Stack lighthouse. The final climb is up Holyhead Mountain to North Stack lighthouse and from here you can see the tents at the finish line some half a mile away and although it's now downhill all the way there are lots of uneven steps to contend with. The race finished in the field at Breakwater Park where we were met with cheers and applause......and of course Johnny Cash!

Overall the event was really well organised. The route each day encountered spectacular, breath-taking views and scenery. Anglesey really is a beautiful island and anyone with a sense of adventure and a free weekend in August should certainly give it a go.

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