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Orders for Tshirts have ceased!

I’ve had to order the Tshirts today, so I won’t be taking any more orders sorry. You’ve had your chance! We’ll be giving out the Tees at registration only to those who have pre-ordered. After registration has closed, and both races have started there may be some leftover, so there might be the oppurtunity to buy one after that time./………..if you’re quick!

Thanks,

Caz the Hat.

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T minus 16 days!!!

So, it’s been a long time since I posted anything on here!!! Ok, so most of you would know that the Beast races are…….. back on! It’s actually on Sat 7th May! So less than 3 weeks!!! I’ll be considering closing the Beast Bach entries soon as we’ve had loads of entrants for it! 😛 225 in fact.In the Preseli Beast we’ve got 80 runners, and 51 in the UltrabeasT! So there’s still a few spaces left for that one. If, and when, we get to 250 in the Beast bach, and/or a 100 for the Preseli Beast, then I’ll be closing entries. 😉We are considering doing registration, and picking up race numbers all from the village green this year, but this does depend on the weather.Regarding cawl, then you must bring your own bowl, spoon, and mug. Cawl will served from the side door of caffi’r sgwar, across from the green. No bowl, no cawl!!! 😛Regarding tea/coffee and cake, then this too will be done from the green….hopefully! 😛 Bring your mug. No mug, no beverage! 😛The slate coasters- I’ve finally managed to source the slate coaster issue. 😉 Phew! The previous supplier is no longer trading, but I’ve sourced another. 😉 Yah. 😉 Route change!!! This only affects the Preseli Beast/UltrabeasT runners. This will be marked, and is when you return to the gwaun valley on the second visit. It’s nicer than going through the fields, although it does add a little bit of distance. 😉 Tshirts- I’ll be closing this tab soon as I need to get the orders in. 😉Marshals and volunteers- Thank you soooooo much for your support again. It’s you that makes this race so special. 😉 If I’ve not emailed you, and/or you want to help out, then please message me. 😉 Trophies- This year I’m reducing the amount of trophies and want to be more greener. I haven’t had the time, or wanting to ask the usual sponsors, to get the usual amount of trophies. So this year I’m going greener. I’m going to use up my scrap bits of floor boards and getting them etched! They will be nice, so rest assured. So there will only be trophies for first place in each age category….in each race. That still means there’s still 18 trophies to do!!! 😛 T-minus 16 days and counting!!! 😛

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2022 Dates for the diary!

So, we’re currently in forward motion somewhat with some races going ahead at the moment. We have to make plans for next year no matter what, so please see below for the 2022 dates.

The (3)Beast races…….are back! Yes, I’m planning on returning these back to normal. These will be on Sat 7th May. Online entries will be open sometime in Feb/March 2022. I’m also considering doing another small Sunday race of about 7miles for those who want to make the most of the weekend should they be travelling from afar. 🙂

After a fairly successful inaugrual DipDab event earlier this year, there will be a second edition. So get Sat 25th June in diary, and get practicing using your map and compass!

At present i’ve got the evening of Tues 19th July as the Carn Ingli Killer race. I cancelled this years, and still haven’t organised a date for it to be held this year. Once I get myself organised, I might still do this one for a Sunday morning winter outing!

Then finally, The Cerrig Las race is on Sun 7th August. I did consider organising the Cerrig las to be the same weekend as the Dipdab. If you think this is a good idea and you’d consider doing both, then let me know. I might consider it. It just means extra work trying to fit both in on the same weekend. For some of you, you might not do both on the same weekend, but would maybe do both on these dates. So let me know.

Thanks if you came to run in one of my events this year. I hope you enjoyed. Although things did get a bit stressful organising things, it was good to be getting things back to some kind of normality. A MAHOOSIVE shout out to all the volunteers/helpers who came to help out with my events. None of these races would have been possible without your support, help, and enthusiasm. Diolch yn Fawr iawn/Thank you very much.

Cheers, and keep safe everyone.

Caz the hat.

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Beast Bach on Sunday 8th August ’21.

So, after thinking very long and hard, discussing it with my family and key people, being in consultation with my local community, Finally, the Beast Bach(only) will go ahead, on Sunday 8th August…..this year! Yes folks, it’s back on. 😛
Before you ask too many questions. Entries aren’t open!!! I’ll be emailing all those that entered in 2019 first to see if they want or can take part. This option will be given to all those that entered either race. We’ll then see how many runners want to run. I’ll consider opening entires after that.
There will be some covid guidelines, one of which is that we will not be using the village hall. Runners will register from the village green, and runners will start between eg, 11.30am and 12pm. So there will be no mass start.
The route will be marked. At the only water station there will be no plastic(or any) cups. You’ll have to provide your own if you want water here.
Tea and cawl will be served from the green, or from the local caffi’r sgwar. However you will need to bring your own mug, bowl and spoon for this.
I’m saying this as I’m preparing to go away for a week!!! LOL 😛 However, I wanted to give previously entered runners the chance to think about it and get some trianing in. An email will be coming at some point.
If previously entered runners can’t run, or don’t want too, then I’ll carry your entry to 2022 unless you inform me otherwise.
I’m hoping to get slate coaster done, but there will be no Tshirts this year sorry.
Diolch. 😊
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Cerrig Las race ’21.

Cerrig Las write up ’21! (Click above to open the results PDF. )
Quick summary- The marshals were amazing, 66 Runners came, and ran on staggered starts, they returned, they ate cake and had tea, remained socially distanced in the open air in the middle of nowhere,, there were no hugs(), and then they…….. buggered off! Bang tidy.
A longer update.
There was lots more pre race admin and online entries to sort out, but in the end it was fine.
The kind farmer had given us permission for runners to park in his field, as I usually only have 15 to 30 entrants.Diolch Dyfed.
The weather stayed dry, apart from a brief sun shower during the race itself. Cloud base remained high, and there was a brisk breeze in the runners faces from the turnaround point at Foel Drygarn.
More marshals came in case there was an issue with runners out on the course.
No one got lost or injured.
There were an amazing amount of pre packed cakeage. Some of which was consumed by my good self on our drive afterwards…..to Hampshire!
Ok, the race itself.
Runners had been allocated a starting time, some 30 second between each one and this had been emailed out prior to race day. Tim did an amazing job of doing the electronic timing wristbands, and it worked a treat.Thanks.
By pre looking at the entrants starting list, I could envisage some close racing and fast times. I wasnt wrong. There were 6 runners under the hour, and local lad(if you can call Texas as being local!!!) Finn Thompson took overall victory and set a new overall record in 55m 36 secs. Rhys Harries was very close behind him in 56m 24s, and would have brokenCerrig Las ’21 results the record too. Alan Latter was first M40 in 1hr 1m 37s, followed closely by Alec Williams M50 in 1hr 1m 52s. First M60 was Glen Davies 1h 09m 58s.
In the ladies section, I wasnt sure which of the three ladies i believed to be the favourites would take victory. Kitty wanted to set off early as she had to leave earlier. Not sure if this was wise, and she was soon way out in front with nobody to chase after! Tasha Sexton, who holds the female record was back, and Dee Jolly was making her first appearance at the race. It was going to be anyone’s race?!
The good or bad thing about a time trial is that you never know who’s in front until everyone is back in! It was Dee’s first outing on this route, but she obviously ran it well as she took first OF spot in 1hr 04m 29s. Kitty took second OF in 1hr 06m 20s, whilst Tasha took 1st F40 in 1hr 06m 35s. So pretty close racing, well done.
1st F50 was Sian William’s 1hr 25m 25s.
The female record will have to wait until next year.
I take my hat off to everyone who ran, and I thank everyone who read through my very lengthy email prior to attending the race to mame sure all the rules were being adhered too. Diolch.
Yes, everyone did really well, but I have to say a huge well done to my prodigy Carz( Carolyn Watkins in doing so well in her second only race, and finishing in 1hrs 15m 43s. She’d been quite nervous for days bless her. Well done Carz.
And lastly, but certainly not less important(in fact, impossible for the race to happen without!), are all the marshals and helpers.
Gareth for being there before me to help with car parking duties.
My Rachel, for admin, tea making, and being 2nd hand in command. Sisters Eirlyn and Lynwen, and Carz for extra wonderful pre-wrapped cakeage.❤Nomnomnom.
Julia, Wendy, Bruce and Rhyds for getting the runners in order at start and helping at the finish.
Tim for the brilliant timing system and ‘live’ yes, Live, online race results!!!
HOLD PRESS!!! Previously, my race results consisted off writing runners names, categories, and finishing times onto sticky labels, and sticking these onto a sheet of 4ft by 3ft mdf board in finishing order. So to go from that to live results is like writing a letter, and posting it to somewhere across the other side of the world, before emails came to being
The hill marshals! Luckily it didn’t rain. I’ve marshalled on events many times, and theres nothing worse than being stuck on a hill for an hour or two in cold freezing rain. Thankfully, they didnt have to suffer too long. Thank you Martin, Sanna @Carn Alw. Sanna had last week set a new FKT for the whole 186m Pembs coastal path in 51hrs 30mins, and so proceeded to run behind chasing/hounding the last runner picking up the markers on the way!
Domi and Chris who had placed a large welsh flag @ Foel Drygarn.
The lonely John Rees(cant tag you for some reason) @The Saddle.
And finally Carol(not on fb, but Megan is), and Rhydian Watkins who’d been shouting at runners near the start line if they were late!@ the last CP, Carn Sian.
Thanks peeps for everything, inc your comments, fb posts, photos, and pre race sharing within your clubs about the event.
I’ve put on all the photos I’ve got, but let me know if you want me to take a photo down.
Btw, money raised from yesterday will be given to the Mynachlog-ddu and Maenclochog kiddies playparks.
Lastly, the Preselu Dip-Dab. At present I havent got many entries. So if you are thinking of entering, can you do so sooner rather than later as I need to order the pre marked waterproof maps. What the worse that can happen, you get a bit lost!!! Even if you do get a little lost, head north or south, and you’ll soon hit a road!
And here’s the race results. https://cerriglas.realtimeracing.co.uk/ It’ll be here for a while, but not for long.  
Or click below to open up the results PDF.
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Preseli Dip-dab.

Sorry for the short notice, but this is now cancelled. 🙁 I haven’t decided on whether this will be re-scheduled for later on this year, or leave until 2021.

Sorry, and please take care.

Caz the hat.

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Beast 2020- Cancelled due to corona-virus

I bring sad news, in that I have no choice but to cancel this years Beast races for the time being. This cv outbreak is hitting many events and many have already rescheduled for later in the year. At present I’m not sure whether to try and fit it in later in the year, or cancel until 2021. I’m sure most of you who had already entered, or those who were going to enter fully understand the reasons for cancelling. If it weren’t based in the village, or that many of you weren’t travelling from far and wide then the race might still go ahead. There are far too many risks involved to many at the moment, and I wouldn’t want someone getting this virus because of the Beast.

For those already entered, then please let me know if you’d like a refund or postpone to the next outing(when ever that will be). There might be some charge for refunds as paypal take a percentage for transactions. Email me what you’d like to happen- [email protected]

At present time I have no intention of cancelling the other smaller races I organise-Cerrig Glas(6th June), Carn Ingli killer(currently Tues 21st July, but I might change the date and route of this one!) and the Dip Dab(1st Aug), but I’ll be monitoring the situation as time goes by. If these races do go ahead then registration, paying, refreshments, and prizegiving will be different. Please keep an eye out for updates.

Thanks, and sorry to be bringing such sad news.

So, moving on! Has all your training been in vain? Heck no. Consider doing your own challenge! This could be something small, or huge. Run the Beast on your own and stick it on Strava, create your own challenging route, Train for the Bob Graham/PBR, do the welsh 3 peaks, or even the Welsh 3000’s. Whatever you do, do something. We all need to get out running, but be mindful about hugging afterwards. Oh, too late.

Keep safe peeps. (virtual hugs to you all).

 

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Beastly entries for 2020 have…….OPENED!

Oh yeah, it’s what you’ve all been waiting for I know. Time to book in for more cake!!! Race day is Saturday 2nd May, and most things are the same as last year. I’m limiting numbers on Beast Bach entries to 250; Preseli Beast and UltrabeasT to 200 in total.

Beast Bach route will be fully marked, whereas both the other two races will be semi marked. There will be a new section at approx. 13-14miles, but this will be marked. I’ll be producing a waterproof map with the two routes on it, and these will be available to buy at cost on the day. Happy days.

T-shirt orders will cease mid April!

Will there be cawl and cake? Absolutely!

Will you be there? Depends if you like cawl and cake!

Cheers.

Thanks Tim for your help. 😉

Charge of the Beast Tamers(as written by the Martin/Boorman family).

1
Half a mile, half a mile
Half a mile onward.
Into the beast’s lair
Ran the fell runners
“Forward the beast tamers
Run for the cakes and cawl.”
Into the beast’s lair
Ran the beast tamers.

2
Forward the Beast Tamers
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the entrants knew
Someone had floundered.
Theirs not to reason why
Theirs but to do and smile
Into the Beast’s lair
Ran the beast tamers.

3
Bogs to the right of them
Hills to the left of them
Valleys ahead of them
Onward and Upward
Hill followed by rocky hill
Boldly they ran and well
Into the Gwaun Valley
Onto Carn Ingli’s rocks
Ran the beast tamers.

4
Flashed all those lily white legs
Flashed as they did their best
Dripping with mud and sweat
Encouraged by volunteers
Checking their numbers
Plunged into mist and fog
Up to their necks in bog
Smile for the camera then
Reel at the steepest of slopes
Staggered and wondered
Then they ran onwards, over
over and upwards.

5
Bogs to the right of them
Hills to the left of them
Valleys ahead of them
Onward and Upward
Exhausted by mile upon mile
Even the fittest fell
They all had run so well
Back past the jaws of the Beast
Back from the Hills of Hell
All that was left of them
Left of the fell runners.

6
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All of Maenclochog wondered.
Honor the volunteers
Honor the runners
Noble Beast Tamers.

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Beastly races for 2020.

Sat 2nd May – Preseli Beast and UltrabeasT 10am; Beast Bach 12.30pm. Entries might open mid December 2019

Sat 6th June – Cerrig Glas. 12pm. Kids races from 11am. Entry on day.

Tues 21st July – Carn Ingli killer. 7pm. Entry on day.

Sat 1st Aug – The Preseli Dibdab mountain trial. Staggered starts from 10am. 3 different length courses. Approx 7 miles, 12 miles, and 20 miles. Start to be announced early July. Pre entry only from May 2020.