Runners completed the tough Cybi Coastal Marathon for RNLI teams.

*Pictured above - runners at the start of the CybI Coastal Trail Marathon.

Runners completed the tough Cybi Coastal Marathon for RNLI teams.

Report by Don Hale. 

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

 

Over two hundred very determined and experienced trail and endurance athletes took part in the Cybi Coastal Trail Marathon last weekend which helped to fundraise for two exceptional RNLI teams.

This extraordinary 25k event, which both started and finished at the Holyhead RNLI Station, took competing runners along one of the most scenic routes on Yns Mon, and followed a very challenging course along the stunning Ynys Cybi coastal trail, which is also forms part of the Welsh Coastal Path.

RNLI coxswain Mark gave one of his crewmen, Reece, a good luck handshake as he set off, before the procession of runners then headed towards Penrhos, before tackling the undulating coastal path.  

From there, athletes crossed through stunning locations such as Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn, and Trearddur Bay, before the final climb up Mynydd Twr. This gruelling route included everything from nature reserves, sandy beaches, mountains and more. 

*The first three finishers are shown above on the podium (l-r): Daniel Hughes, Stuart Jewell and Chris Pownall.

The first finisher overall was Stuart Jewell (Clwb Run Wales) in 3 hours 22 minutes and 6 seconds, with Chris Pownall (Cybi Striders), second in 3.25.43, and Daniel Hughes third in 3.39.37. *The first female finisher was Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in 3.41.39, and Amy Mckechnie (Queensbury RC) was the runner-up in 4.01.33, with Tracy Dawn Cooperthird in 4.11.08. *There were 234 finishers.

Chris Pownall, who took part in the Coastal Marathon and finished as the runner-up, gave an insight into this challenging race: “Another brilliant day at the @cybicoastalmarathon, completing a full lap of the stunning Holyhead Coastal Path. I kept things steady over the first 20 miles, making sure not to burn out before the tough final stretch - full of hills, technical trails, and of course, the mountain. 

“During that time, I moved from 4th to 2nd, steadily picking off places and weaving through the 25km runners. The mountain section was slow and brutal, but I managed to finish strong and hold on for second place. A cold beer and a burger never tasted so good, perfect fuel for the recovery ahead. Ready to go again soon.”

*Crew members (*above) from the RNLI teams at Holyhead.

*The RNLI officials also added some background to this event and said: “Why do we continue to put on this incredible event? We do this to help raise vital funds for our two local and incredible RNLI teams. 

“Our little island is a beautiful location surrounded by some of the UKs best sea spots, this in turns also comes with risk and without the teams on the shores keeping us safe then we’d all be at risk.  We as a team will continue to make this event non profitable and push hard to raise as many funds and awareness as possible for our two local stations, and the risks they protect.”

 

*This is the provisional results list from the Cybi Coastal Marathon:

https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4144#0_E71CF1