Welsh Castles Relay - Announcement!

Teams Entered - Time to register your interest


Hi Eagles, just to let you know that as per previous years we have just entered two teams (Open and Ladies) for Welsh Castles Relay 2017. The event will be taking place 10th and 11th June (also allow 9th June for travel).


We know many of you are interested in running this year and we’d like to start gathering interest. Whilst it is a very competitive and popular event, at this stage we’re just looking for expressions of interest on this google doc: 

https://docs.google.com/…/1MiMjh09bibT5tloeVaNNySWO83…/edit…

(Please copy and paste the link into your browser!)


Don’t know what Welsh Castles Relay is? Watch last year’s video and read on…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2JeWK1SatI


Ealing Eagles are now regular attendees at the very prestigious and long running Welsh Castles Relay Race. The event usually takes place the first weekend in June and the Eagles enter both Open (Mens) and Ladies teams. Each team has 20 runners.


Each team covers 200+ miles in total in 20 stages over two days scaling the length of Wales, from top to bottom; starting in Caernarfon on Saturday morning and culminating in Cardiff late Sunday afternoon. Stages vary in length, between 8 and 13 miles and range from bumpy, to hilly, to virtually upright!


A true team competition, its great fun and a very popular event. Often referred to the ‘the closest thing to the Tour de France on legs!’ In 2016, we won our first trophy, with the Ladies Team taking an amazing 2nd place!


For further info go to http://www.welshcastlesrelay.org.uk (again, please cpoiy and paste into your browser!)


TEAM SELECTION
- Initial registration opens in January each year and teams are selected by WCR in early March. We have never been turned away yet, but it is an extremely popular event and we are lucky to have been invited each year we have entered.
- The Eagles teams are selected mid-late April, after the London Marathon but you need to start thinking about your entry now, if you want to make the team.
- This is the most competitive event the Eagles enter and has us competing amongst some of the best amateur runners in the country. This means we have to select our fittest and fastest runners – although we often need a few reserves to fill in at the last minute, so worth showing interest, even if you think you might not make the team. 
- Selection is done by the Team Captains, Kieran Santry and Jennifer Watt and is based on Spring (Jan-Apr) Half Marathon and/or 10 Mile times, including Garmin links from training. If you got a great time in January, but the Captains think you aren’t in shape nearer the time, watch out(!) you still might not make the team.
- You can increase your chances of being selected if you are able to confidently drive a 9 seater mini-bus to/from Wales and throughout the weekend. However, you won’t be required to drive on the day you run.
Hill Training – is key for WCR success, so we’ll be running some additional hill training sessions for WCR hopefuls and anyone else who wants to join. The Hills and Beers sessions were popular last year, so we may bring them back.

Good luck everyone!