ON June 15 the Fairwater Runners took part in a Relay Run which started in Grosmont at 7.30am. The run was in thirteen stages, with eleven teams taking part. Secretary Julie Roache said it was a very friendly occasion, a fun event, although it was run professionally, with proper time keeping and with the police informed and the St. John's ambulance in attendance.

The relay race is through Gwent and based on the abundance of historic monuments. The residents of Grosmont and Skenfrith were informed of the race - and its early start - some time before the event - and a poster was put up for all the village to read.

There was one runner from each team for each stage of the race and each participant's time was recorded. Each lap was separate, in that there was no handing over as in a normal relay race. The first stage was from Grosmont.(leaving at approximately 7.30am) to Skenfrith. The route followed the line of castles,so, it was Grosmont to Skenfrith , Skenfrith to White castle, then to Abergavenny and via more castles and famous monuments ( Monmouth, Raglan, Usk , Tintern, Chepstow, Caldicot, Penhow, Caerleon, finally finishing up at the pub (Castle y Bwch) This must have been quite a day for all the runners. The weather was ideal. The total race covered 102 miles - in stages of from five to fourteen miles.

The Fairwater Runners organise the whole event and a raffle is held to help to defray some of the costs. This is the 15th year of the competition.

The Fairwater Runners was started in 1983 and this Relay Race usually takes place during the first weekend of June. Secretary Julie Roache says if anyone would like to join the Runners, they should contact her. I have her phone number and the website address. Frances David was out early in Skenfrith and got a good photo of the runners coming into the village.