Anglesey SandmanHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1 vote). | 1 to 1 of 1 rating | Page: 1 |
| The big picture (1 vote) | | Overall score | | 100% | | How many would do it again? | | 100% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
|
|
2012 race reviewed by: Stanners from the Bridge
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging, and that was just the weather
In full: We went to Anglesey and made a weekend of it, this being my big race for the year. Weather forecasts had been a bit dire but the day before the race was not too bad, if a little gusty. The registration was a little low key, a couple of tents in a field but very efficient.
We decided to head down to the beech to check out the swim conditions. £3 access fee is a bit rich! It was also at this point that we realised it is a couple of miles from the town to the beech, along a road that would be closed for the race so you need to be prepared to walk down or be boxed in for 5 hours. Not great for us as we had our 2 young children with us.
The sea looked choppy but not too bad and all set for the following day.
Overnight the wind really picked up and between arriving and setting up in transition the heavens opened. Rumour was circulating the swim was cancelled but the organisers did a brilliant job moving the swim a mile up the beech to a more sheltered location. Only a 5ft swell to comprehend with. So with briefing out the way we all walked to the new swim location decked out in wetsuits and trainers.
The swim was BRILLIANT. A challenge out and back against some big waves but the water was warm and clean, fabulous. Back on to the beech, on with the trainers and a 1 mile trail run back to T1.
T1 was, lets say cosy, but not daft. I was a little concerned it was on loose gravel and the potential for punctures was high, but most got away with it.
The bike course was undulating into what felt like a vicious wind and on open roads. The local traffic was v considerate and the marshals excellent in giving encouragement and directions. Back in to the forest after a little over 2 hours and in to T2.
The 10k run followed the trail path used to get to the new swim location then turned in to an incline going up and away from the coast. It was a really beautiful route, mostly along canopy covered trails. The last 2k or so featured lots of leg sapping sand through to the finish chute.
Plenty of refreshments for finishers, although I was more concerned about keeping warm.
All in all loved it, and hope to do the Slateman next year. Really well organised, if not spectator friendly, in a superb location.
Date of review: September 18, 2012
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
