Classic Welsh fell race aims to recapture former glory
The Moel Eilio fell race is a classic route. Starting in Llanberis the race ascends Moel Eilio, crosses the ridge taking in Foel Gron and Goch and descends the steep grassy slopes of Moel Cynghorion. Before dropping into Llanberis, for the culmination of 8 tough miles – though I can tell you, it feels a lot further!
Race organiser Jayne Lloyd is looking to re-establish the race as one of the more prominent on the fell calendar, this year once again donating all profits to the charity Cancer Research.
“I started fell running back in 1989 when I was working in Llanberis Youth hostel under the careful supervision of Joan Glass”, Lloyd tells us, “Joan is one of the legendary forerunners of the modern sport. She ran back in the day when women just weren’t recognised as being capable of running the same distances as en and her determination to succeed served as a role model for my own running career.”
Jayne in her glory years
“Back in those days the Moel Eilio Race was already a classic on the race calendar and myself and the other hostel assistant (Gary Evans) found ourselves organising it as Joan and Dennis were on holiday that weekend and the hostel was the base for the race. This was definitely a baptism of fire! The hostel became inundated with skinny folk clad in Ron Hills and with seemingly endless appetite for consuming flapjack. I was hooked and I’d never even done a fell race!”
Jayne’s prowess at race organisation has enabled her to turn around the Snowdonia Marathon in the last few years to be the biggest marathon in Wales, and continues:
“Now, over 20 year later, I have run the course countless times and have been organising the race (legitimately) for more years than I care to remember. It is a true ‘must do’ run, good fast grassy running (for the most part), fabulous views along the ridge and an awesome descent off Moel Cynghorion. It’s an anorak’s dream allowing much debate as to the best lines to take and the severity of the last run back down to the finish.”
Speaking about the association with Cancer Research, Jayne concludes, “Since 2009 the race has become a fundraiser for Cancer research in memory of a close friend who had lost his fight with the disease a few months earlier. We all know somebody who has been touched by Cancer and I am proud to be able to help raise funds for research in this area. All of the money donated goes directly to local research and is not swallowed up by the National body. By running you can experience one of Britain’s best loved courses and help others at the same time. How good is that?”
Very good!
Jayne takes us through the race route:
The race starts outside Bron Eryri Nursing Home and climbs steeply up a tarmac road for approximately 1 kilometre. The route then continues up a bridal path and through a gate before reaching the open hill side. Canes will mark the route across the heather to the main track up to the summit of Moel Eilio. As the path steepens, there is a fence. Keep this to your right until you reach the stile just before the summit.
The run along the ridge takes in the summits of Foel Gron and Foel Goch and is grassy underfoot. The descent to the valley head is difficult in bad weather. You would be advised to head straight for the fence (as far right as you can go) and follow that down if visibility is poor.
The climb up Moel Cynghorion from the head of the valley is deceptive, longer than you might think! If visibility is bad, follow the fence (now on your left).
The descent from the summit of Moel Cynghorion is well worth a recce if you get the chance. It really is a matter of route choice but there will be flags at the bottom to mark the climb up to the final descent to Llanberis.
Finally the slog down Maes Cwm (know as ‘Telegraph Valley’) which finishes down a steep tarmac road to Llanberis Youth Hostel.
Full event details are as follows:
Moel Eilio fell race 2011
Date: Saturday 14th May, 2011
Venue: Race starts outside Bron Eryri nursing home (G.R. 575 600).
Entry: EOD only.
Registration: Registration is in the Llanberis Community Centre. This is on the main road alongside the lake, just after the Electric Mountain and will be clearly signposted. There are toilets but no showers. Kit can be left here, it is approx half a mile from the start. There are no showers but showers are available at Pete’s Eats for a minimal charge.
Parking: There is plenty of parking near to the Community Centre but it is all Pay and Display.
Facilities: As above, toilets at registration (not at the start). There is space for changing but NOT segregated. No showers. There will be tea and cake for sale (charity fundraiser).
Course: Controls are as follows:
575 600 (start)
563 598 (gate)
556 577 (summit Moel Eilio)
564 566 (summit Foel Gron)
571 568 (Summit Foel Goch)
573 559 (valley head)
586 564 (summit Moel Cynghorion)
578 572 (footpath)
Finish Llanberis Youth Hostel 574 597
Maps: The race is run on OS map 115.
Records:
Mark Croasdale 58.36 (1993)
Menna Angharad 72.44 (1996 – Youth Hostel start)
Festivities: Sorry, nothing official. Plenty of pubs and good company in Llanberis.
Accommodation: See http://www.llanberis.org
Tourist Information Centres: As above.
Contact: Jayne Lloyd 01286 677785 or Email Jayne Lloyd [email protected]
Club website www.eryriharriers.org.uk
