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Race Report: Cadair Idris 11m Fell Race 22/05/2016

by Michael Escolme on Sunday 22nd May 2016
Run 11 miles up Cadair Idris? Not likely!!!


I wanted to start with the idyllic picture of mist covered mountains and a rolling lush valley, except this is Wales in mid-May. So for 'mist covered mountains' read chucking it down with rain, with any hint of a lush valley shrouded in thick, dark clouds. Still, the coffee shop was warm and dry with homemade Bara Brith and English Breakfast tea - all very civilised - but clearly I was going to have to pace myself.



The race started at 1pm with registration from 10am till 12:45... Time for a last kit check: 


Full body waterproof cover - check

Comfortable footwear - check

Whistle - check

Map & compass - check


Apparently they are rather strict on all that stuff - whistles, compasses, waterproof maps, all seems like a lot of fuss to me, still...


At 12:45 the runners gather for the kit check and safety briefing, the atmosphere is becoming charged with excitement and anticipation. Front runners jostling, hands poised on Garmins... The klaxon sounds and the pack surges out of Dolgellau and out of town for 11 miles of brutal climb and descent.



Mile 1 - 9:03 running up out of town

Mile 2 - 9:20 some stiff climbs on the roads

Mile 3 - 10:12 picking through the woods, the weather lifting (good)

Mile 4 - 20:14 the elevation picks up viscously up to the saddle and the check point with a 1 hour 15 cut-off (you don't make the time you are turned back). Along the ridge the pace quickens again, heart rate hardly slowing, feet heavy, socks and trainers soaked, hard burning lungs. A pause - the summit, and then turn for the descent... Rapid; toes pressed into shoes, the ground too loose to grip; a controlled fall, a slide, a fall. Rock too wet for purchase - hip, thigh and hand take the impact of a heavy sideways fall. The descent a blur until the jarring of knees lessens and feet finally grip and running starts again,still almost totally downhill, quickening as the town comes into sight. The finish just around the corner ahead, acceleration where there was none, Garmin stopped... A bottle of water handed to you as the crowds cheer, more runners following. Done. Finish time 2:07:01 in position 111, a full 80 places improvement on last year.


I must admit I was quite surprised to see Steve back quite so early given the conditions, especially as I was only on my second cup of tea. Judging by the mud, the sweat and the bloodied leg he looks like he has had as good a time as I did, without the need for a waterproof map!



Rad y Gader is run each May from the centre of Dolgellau to the summit of Cadair Idris and back. Congratulations to everyone mad enough to do it!!!


For more information visit the race website.

Mrs Treweeks