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The Rhayader 10 and weather forecasting

by Ken Sears

A number of weeks ago I sent out an Invitation to run the Rhayader 10 mile run. This is the 3rd running of the event (I now have 3 T-shirts to prove it) and the 2nd invitation – again this year no takers.

There was a suggestion by Karen that I didn’t make the run sufficiently attractive. I could have been economic with the truth and described the scenery as stunning, with mild autumnal conditions and gentle rolling hills. This is mid-Wales in November and ‘fibs’ might be easy to spot.

Saturday morning – clearing ditches around the house due to heavy rain. Even I was unsure if this was a good idea to run as the weather forecast wasn’t very promising! I dutifully drove down to Rhayader (still not fully committed) and turned up to register on the day about 40 minutes before the start – the dam was spectacularly overflowing and was even visible through the driving rain. I was amazed at the number of hardy runners already assembled, paddling through the standing water in the car park to find shelter in the Elan Valley Visitors Centre, which is below the last dam and relatively sheltered – what would it be like on higher ground!

Having paid my entrance fee (and accepted the T-shirt) I was now (stupidly) committed to running. Fifteen minutes before the start, all the runners, heads bowed headed into the wind and climbed the track to the start. The race briefing described, slippery leaves, puddles and water flowing on the roads as well as ankle deep water. First mile is down hill – wind behind so you can’t help but fly. The course has 2 climbs, the first after 1.5 miles and is fairly challenging – I am sure it is getting longer every year. The rain was still torrential and we were running into the wind. I was having a poor race and struggling, strangely leg tired. The next few miles was more sheltered and undulating but the 2nd climb at 5 miles was hard work. Managed to chat with a few runners – one had driven from Haverfordwest and had a race the next day, mad fool!

Survival seemed the best policy, so dug in and held back as the conditions were never good to do a decent time. The last 3-4 miles seemed longer than usual and the view of the dam in the distance ad the final bridge crossing meant the end – hurrah. Time of 1:15:57 was over 3 minutes slower than last year and 37th overall (7th in the >50 age group) but there was a much bigger field 131 runners (I think this is now part of East Wales Road Race series).

The best bit was changing and getting warm and dry. The soup/bread, tea and cake in the visitors centre was excellent in quality and price (£2.00).

The usual question :– Would I do it again? I keep saying never but turn up and run. I don’t think I was fully prepared for a 10 mile race and consequently deserved the slower time but the organisation was excellent and well managed especially in the conditions.

If I remember correctly I did mention on the ‘Invitation’ that the weather could have ‘horizontal rain’ - and this was pretty accurate. So maybe I should change profession and join the Met Office…