Rack Raid 2023 (Ruins and Castle Keeps)
The Rack Raid was established in 1993 by Fairwater Runners Cwmbran and is the club’s most prestigious race. It involves over 100 miles of racing split into 13 stages of varying distances.
The race starts at Grosmont Castle and finished 100 miles later at Castell-y-Bwch
Pegasus have been lucky enough to have a team every year and it is definitely a firm favourite with the club The standard has undoubtedly improved year on year and so we are very lucky to get a team in the race.
There are only 28 teams due to the narrowness of the country lanes as the roads are open all day long. Each stage has a designated water station however all teams will hand out water to passing runners along the way.
The teams are made up of 6/7 men and 6/7 women and this year we were represented by the following people on the following stages:
STAGE 1. GROSMONT CASTLE to SKENFRITH CASTLE 5.1 Miles
Caroline Bassett
STAGE 2. SKENFRITH CASTLE to WHITE CASTLE 6.93 Miles
Em Bissex
STAGE 3. WHITE CASTLE to ABERGAVENNY 7.51 Miles
Rob Jones
STAGE 4. ABERGAVENNY to MOAT 6.7 Miles
Lauren Old
STAGE 5. MOAT to MONMOUTH 8.1 Miles
Charlotte Bethell
STAGE 6. MONMOUTH to RAGLAN 12.6 Miles
Tony Mackay
STAGE 7. RAGLAN to USK 5.53 Miles
Jo Dunscombe
STAGE 8. USK to TINTERN ABBEY 13.1 Miles
James Miller
STAGE 9. TINTERN ABBEY to CHEPSTOW CASTLE 9.42 Miles
Aled Williams
STAGE 10. CHEPSTOW CASTLE to CALDICOT CASTLE 6.6 Miles
Gareth Redding
STAGE 11. CALDICOT CASTLE to PENHOW 8.3 Miles
Paul Charles
STAGE 12. PENHOW to CAERLEON AMPHITHEATRE 6.64 Miles
Sarah Lyle
STAGE 13. CAERLEON AMPHITHEATRE to CASTELL-Y-BWCH 5.43 Miles
Nigel Hammersley
Ending at the pub for a well earned drink and presentations
Comments by runners
“A great experience, being part of a team in a well organised events with lots of support and encouragement from Pegs. The day went from excitement to determination, exhaustion to having a laugh at the pub. It gave me a great sense of achievement and I really enjoyed being involved as part of Team Pegs.”
“The support team treated me like royalty.”
“Top of the leaderboard for support. “
“The standard has risen considerably over the last 10 years and a great event to be involved in.”
Comments by supporters
“Happy memories of running in days gone by.”
“A pleasure to support club runners on a great day’s running when everyone is giving of their best for their clubs.”
“A beautiful day but very challenging. Great team effort.”
“One of my favourite races of the year. Such great running and camaraderie from all involved. It’s a real pleasure to support not only our own runners but all the other teams as well. I love being part of the Pegs family.”
Comment from others
“Determined and gutsy running with some outstanding stage runs.”
“As always setting the standard for supporting all runners as they come past.”
Roll on 2024 – keep training and remember those hills! If you don’t want to be part of the running team you can always be part of the supporting team, as the supporters are just as important and without them the runners can’t do their job.
