From cycle races to triathlons, North Wales plays hosts to some
great sporting events throughout the year - many are going from
strength to strength with participants travelling from across the
UK and even further afield to take part.
Two of our team, William and Sarah, are signed up for the Anglesey Half Marathon
taking place this Mothering Sunday - 6th March. Whilst
William is a seasoned competitor (he is running the London Marathon
this year too….as you do), Sarah is a novice having only returned
to running in the last few years.
We will be cheering our colleagues on, feeling quietly
relieved that it isn't us pounding the tarmac along the Menai
Straits. However, we have all overheard the regular
conversations by the kettle about training runs, the best scenery,
quietest route….or flattest, and thought others might want to
know. So, if you are someone who likes to pack their trainers
when they go on holiday, here are William & Sarah's top six
training runs in North Wales:
1. Anglesey: Malltraeth Marsh and Newborough
Forest
William
Distance - 15 miles can be shortened if starting
at Malltraeth
Difficulty - Easy, flat surface and easy under
foot
Watch out for - Red Squirrels and views of the
mountains
This is a run that's pretty long but can be started at different
points depending on fitness. The first spot I started is on a
little hump bridge and the run takes you through the fields of
Malltraeth Marsh. You will see cows, sheep and even the odd swan
lurking in the river. Once this great section is over you hop
across the road and follow the causeway which runs adjacent to the
road with great views across to Snowdonia. After a quick dash along
here you are into Newborough Forest, this is where it get's fun.
There are so many different tracks and pathways to follow you can
get quite lost, but I feel it adds to the thrill. Make sure you
look out for the Red Squirrels, they are so fun to watch. After
getting suitably lost in the woods you take the same causeway back
and you can then run along the grass bank back between the two
rivers along Malltraeth sounds. Hopefully with the wind behind
you.
2. Snowdonia Coast: Menai Bridge -
Caernarfon
William
Distance - 10 miles
Difficulty - Quite a long run, but feels mostly
down hill after the first section. Great paths throughout.
The slight hitch is you need a car at two ends or it's a hop on a
bus, which I've never been a fan of as you tend to smell a tad
after a run! However, you do end at a pub so if you need to wait
for someone to pick you up, you can be assured you are in a great
spot at The Anglesey.
This run takes you over the Thomas Telford bridge and along the
lovely cycle/walkways. After going over the bridge, (you must stop
to take a picture) you run along quite a busy section of road, but
then you drop down to Felinheli and you are onto the great pathways
all the way to Caernarfon. You have glimpses of the Menai Strait
all the way along and it's lovely to run at a good pace along good
pathways.
3. Snowdonia: Llyn Padarn
Sarah
Distance - 5 miles
Difficulty - Moderate. Mixture of tarmac
and trail, with some short up and downhill sections.
Watch out for - Views through the trees above the
lake across to Snowdon.
An interesting circular route around one of Snowdonia's better
known lakes, perfect if you like a mixture of terrains. Stop
to admire the view at as you cross the small bridge at the very end
of the lake, before heading up the hillside - a fantastic view up
the lake and valley towards Snowdon. Then as you work your way
through the wooded hillside you get tantalising glimpses of the
mountains and lake.
4.Caernarfon loop
William
Distance - 6.25 miles
Difficulty - A few hilly parts and can be quite
hard against the wind on the Aber.
This is one that's a real corker! Starting at the great Caernarfon
Castle, the run takes you along the aber foreshore where you have a
huge amount of wildlife to enjoy with the most stunning views. You
then take a left inland and this takes you up an incline where you
have views across towards Snowdonia. Carry on looping around and
you reach the Welsh highland
railway path, look out for the white smoke of the train
passing. There is the option to take part in the 5km race against
the train in July. A few of us took part in the office last year.
You finish with a quick dash through the car park and end under the
castle again.
5. Anglesey: Llynnon Mill loop
Sarah
Distance - 10 miles
Difficulty - Quiet country lanes with some gentle
hills.
Watch out for - Llynnon Mill - Wales' only
working windmill is the start & end point. Handy for loos
& cafe! Views of Holyhead Mountain and out to sea.
A great way to explore some of Anglesey's quiet country lanes
& villages. Some good views, rolling countryside and
gentle climbs. The cafe at Llynnon Mill usually opens for the
season just before Easter and closes at the end of September.
Please check for dates and times here you are relying on
refreshments here on your return.
6. Anglesey: Rhoscolyn Loop
Sarah
Distance - 4 miles
Difficulty - Easy, quiet road and pavements all
the way. Gentle climb at end.
Watch out for - Great views across the island
from St Gwenfaen's - especially if you head up to the Lookout.
Park at St Gwenfaen's Church (SH 268 757). With your back
to the church, run to the right and follow the road back to Four
Mile Bridge, turn left, past the Anchorage pub, and take the left
hand turn signed back to Rhoscolyn. Continue past the school
and work your way back up the church. A four mile loop with
one long gentle climb at the end. I like the scenery, so will quite
happily go round twice, or run up to the coastguard's lookout for a
quick seaview at the end (follow the footpath through the Plas
gateway just below the church -pass Plas, can carry on up the
track, over the stile and up to the lookout - it will add less than
a mile).