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Pembrokeshire Coast
VOTWO
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST CHALLENGE 2011
EVENT REPORT
18th Nov – 20th Nov’11 Pembrokeshire Coastal Path Wales
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The City of St David’s once again played host to this the 3rd running of the Votwo Pembroekshire Coastal Challenge. Under heavy skies, Thursday evening saw the Votwo team welcoming the first of some 120 participants taking part in the 2011 Challenge – three days with 78.6 miles to cover on two feet, either walking or running (well to start with at least!). The usual high quality Votwo hospitality greeted many old faces alongside new, including a team from Schroders Private Banking and a large contingent who had flown over from Vancouver, Canada specifically to take part in the Challenge.
Day 1: Maps issued, kit checked, breakfast feasted upon and event briefing given, participants jumped onto the fleet of Votwo mini buses eager to get to the start of the Challenge at Dale that would take Challengers around the stunning St Ann’s Headland before reaching checkpoint one at Westdale Bay. Then onwards through the National Trust property at Albion Sands, and Haven Point before heading north across Musselwick Sands and up to St Brides to be greeted by clearing skies and the welcoming sight of a Votwo aid station. Manned by ever smiling and motivational staff providing drink refills and anything from USN Sports Nutrition products, to jelly babies and the now infamous Votwo ‘Cheese and Pickle’ sandwiches. Motivated to reach the Day one finish before dusk, Challengers pushed on to checkpoint 3 at Broad Haven before completing the final leg up to the beautiful surfing beach at Newgale Sands. Refreshed and aided by USN recovery products and homemade lentil soup, participants returned to the event HQ at the City Hall, St David’s to refresh their legs and tired limbs with sports massage and more Votwo welcoming hospitality. At the front end of the Challenge field Paul Oliver recorded an impressive 4hrs 11mins for the 27.1 miles, with Colin Stark following him in some 20mins behind. Clare Akin-Smith came in in 4hrs 37mins to record the fifth fastest time of the day and first lady finisher with Votwo’s Lisa Dent close behind in 6th place. For most the finish wasn’t about times, it was about experience, the shared company and the opportunity to enjoying running along the exhilarating Pembrokeshire Coastline.
Day 2: The sleeping Welsh City of St David’s was awoken by walkers and runners emerging at dawn from their accommodation, to congregate at the City Hall for a Votwo breakfast feast and daily briefings before setting off to the start point. Challengers arrived at Newgale Beach just as the sun kissed the cliff tops and the rolling surf steamed up the beach casting the sheer rugged beauty of Pembrokeshire’s coastline and lighting the scarred path of the day ahead. Day 2’s route took Challengers through Caerfan Bay, St Justinian and around St David’s Head before heading North East to the stunning inlet at Abereiddi Bay. Refreshed and refueled at this final checkpoint Challengers pushed on again over the final short leg to the finish at the historic mines of Porth-gain. As the sun started its final decent the Port was floodlit by the Votwo team providing a warm welcoming to the weary participants. Day 2 was led out again by Paul Oliver who was pushed all the way by second placed Colin Stark with just 3mins separating first from second. Claire Akin-Smith was likewise followed in hot pursuit by Lisa Dent with less than 10mins separating the leading ladies. In the middle of the pack several virgin ultra/marathoners were sharing all the highs (and one or two temporary lows) of this exhilarating marathon alongside our Canadian friends, team Schroders and some very experienced endurance athletes, including our own modest Traviss Willcox who has pretty much rewritten the record books for UK’s 100 Marathon Club. And of course ‘here come the girls’, Janine, Kirstine and Kate who lighten up the whole Challenge weekend with their humour, shrieks of joy crossing the finishing line and a few expletives usually in the company of the Votwo medical support team!
Day 3: The final marathon of a Votwo Challenge weekend is always an emotional journey from start to finish. For some just getting to the start with pained and fatigued legs is a challenge in itself, whilst for others it is the two thirds journey travelled whilst a long final third ahead that draws a tear to the eye. And for others it is the excitement of being so close to fulfilling an ambition or achieving an ultimate running experience. The start at Porth-gain emerging out of the rising daylight was all that was needed to excite and ignite the drive of even the weariest of Challengers to set out and complete the final marathon of this coastal challenge. With checkpoints cleared at Abercastle, Strumble Head Pen- Caer and Fishguard, Challengers were insight of their ‘chalice’ the finish in the beautiful Welsh fishing bay at Pwilgwaelod. Blessed with amazing November weather, with marathon completed, medal and for many a local beer in hand, standing in the cooling sea provided the ultimate refreshing relief after the exertions of the previous three days. Life long friendships cemented through the shared experience of the Challenge and the hugs and tears of joy and achievement at the finish of another Votwo Challenge event successfully concluded. For some an experience of a lifetime to be cherish but not repeated, but for the majority an ‘until the next one’ with a view forward to the Jurassic Coast in March and a return to Wales for the new Anglesey Challenge in August 2012. For those at the sharp end of the Challenge, there was no change at the front with Paul Oliver completing the three marathons in an accumulative time of 13:47:54 with Colin Stark the closest contender finishing in 14:11:13. Similarly in the women’s field Claire Akin-smith led from start to finish in an overall time of 14:45:00 followed by Votwo’s Lisa Dent in 15:01:36. A huge Votwo cheer to all those who took part in this years Pembrokeshire Coast Challenge – some inspirational performances and a memorable event, you are amazing! Congratulations to all the individuals and teams who raised significant sums of money for a variety of charities and good causes through the PCC Challenge. A special thank you to the Votwo staff team who tirelessly supported the Challengers and who all contributed so much to the smooth running and overall success of this event. Extended thanks also go to our event partners and sponsors, USN, The Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park Management team and The National Trust.
