Information about the Welsh Castles Relay
Update 09/06/2025:
The 2025 WCR is over, congratulations to the open winners Pontypridd Roadents, ladies winners Les Croupiers, in the new mixed veterans format Chorlton Runners were triumphant and Burges Salmon were the winning business team. Full Results here.
Congratulations also to all competitors.
A provisional date for the 2026 event is the weekend of 6th/7th June 2026.
Welsh Castles Relay Committee.
Late news regarding Stage 4 Maentwrog to Harlech
It was discovered today (Friday 6th June) that the roadworks have been lifted on stage 4 and instead the proposed alternative route we advised via Penrhyndeudraeth will have disruption so please disregard the previous instructions posted below and treat stage 4 as open as usual.
Stage 20 Finish and the relay awards.
This year due to events taking place in Bute Park the finish of stage 20 and the awards are in Pontcanna fields which are the other (western) side of the river Taff from Bute Park. The detailed stage 20 information on page 64 of the WCR Reference Book states.
Finish on the grass as directed by the finish funnel path just after the Changing Rooms, Pontcanna. Parking available in North Road CF10 3DU, Cathays Park Civic Centre, Cathedral Road, Car park by Cafe Castan CF11 9QJ, Llandaff rugby club CF42 AZ, Cardiff Met University CF52 YB and Sophia Gardens CF12 9XR and Pontcanna changing rooms CF11 9LB
Important information regarding Stage 4 - Maentwrog to Harlech.
Important information regarding Stage 6 - Barmouth to Dolgellau.
1. Stage start at the beginning of Barmouth bridge
The assembly area for runners and Welsh Castles team members is the "Tunnel Gardens" approx. 10 metres from the Bridge entry.
There is insufficient room for any sized group at the bridge entrance or on the adjacent pavements. It’s a very tight pinch point for pedestrians and vehicles - and safety is paramount. Current temporary traffic lights are exacerbating the issue.
The Tunnel gardens are a very large lawned and paved area, with wooden seating and a large open access shelter that can be used by marshals for competitor checking in etc.
2. The road closure in place on the main promenade
There is a 2 day music festival (10am to 8pm) with a mandatory road closure in place that includes a large section of the beach and part of the main car park. Therefore there is no access to anyone (except ticket holders) through this part of town.
Anyone wanting to go between the stage finish at the end of the promenade and the next stage start at the bridge, will need to walk or drive via the main High Street, or cut across the main car park to the harbour road on foot.
3. Viaduct Gardens engineering work (by The Last Inn pub)
There is a single file of managed traffic down from the bridge and into town. This is a 2 year engineering work to repair, and improve flooding defences. Its possible that the 3 way traffic lights will be in place during the Welsh Castles relay event.
Be aware that these traffic controls lead to extensive vehicle queuing up the hill and blocking access to the Barmouth bridge.
Welsh Castles Relay Organising Committee
Les Croupiers Running Club
Please see the newly-revised and updated 2025 WCR Reference Book that contains updated marshalling and medical information
The Welsh Castles Relay 2025 will take place on 7-8 June 2025. Entries for WCR 2025 are finalised as the following teams.
Aberdare Valley Amateur Athletics Club - Open
Altrincham & District Athletic Club - Open
Brecon Athletic Club - Open
Bridgend Athletics - Open
Bromsgrove & Redditch AC - Open
Buckley Runners - Open
Builth and District Running Club - Open
Burges Salmon - Business House
CDF Runners - Ladies
CDF Runners - Open
Caerphilly Runners - Open
Chepstow Harriers - Open
Cheshire Dragons - Open
Chorlton Runners - Ladies
Chorlton Runners - Open
Chorlton Runners - Veterans
Clevedon AC - Open
Ealing Eagles - Ladies
Ealing Eagles - Open
Environment Agency and DEFRA Harriers - Business House
Eryri Harriers - Open
Highgate Harriers - Open
Islwyn RC - Open
Leeds City AC - Open
Les Croupiers Running Club - Ladies
Les Croupiers Running Club - Open
Les Croupiers Running Club - Veterans
Lliswerry Runners Newport - Ladies
Lliswerry Runners Newport - Open
Maldwyn Harriers - Open
Meirionnydd Running Club - Open
Meirionnydd Running Club - Veterans
Neath Harriers AC - Open
Ogmore Phoenix Runners - Open
Parc Bryn Bach Running Club - OpenParc Bryn Bach Running Club - Veterans Withdrawn
Penarth and Dinas Runners - Open
Pont-y-pwl & District Runners - Open
Pontypridd Roadents - Ladies
Pontypridd Roadents - Open
Pontypridd Roadents - Veterans
Port Talbot Harriers - Ladies
Port Talbot Harriers - Open
Porthcawl Runners - Ladies
Porthcawl Runners - Open
Prestatyn Running Club - Open
Run4All Neath - Ladies
Run4All Neath - Open
Sale Harriers - Ladies
Sale Harriers - Open
Salford Harriers - Open
San Domenico RC - Open
Sarn Helen - Open
South Wales Police - Business House
South West Road Runners - Open
TROTS - Open
Team Bath AC - Ladies
Team Bath AC - Open
The Stragglers Running Club - Open
Winchester Running Club - Open
Winchester Running Club - Veterans
Wirral AC - Open
For 2025, a Masters/Veterans team must be comprised of 10 women and 10 men. The age of men for veteran category is 40+ years and for women 35+ years.
If you have any queries please send an email to:
Welsh Castles Relay Organising Committee
Les Croupiers Running Club
Expand to see more details about the Welsh Castles Relay Stage Distances and Records.
Expand to see the latest WCR Reference Book.
Expand to see some of the Welsh Castles Relay Roll of Honour.
Expand to see some of the Welsh Castles Relay Photos and Videos.
The following advice is intended to keep our runners SAFE at all times!
It is also essential that, whilst out running as a club, we are seen to be polite, responsible, set a good example & not put others at risk.
AT ALL TIMES BE SAFE BE SEEN! You can never be too visible! During the day, always wear bright or light-coloured clothing - fluorescent is good.
At night we would strongly recommend that people ALWAYS wear light-coloured clothing plus a REFLECTIVE (not just fluorescent) bib or sash.
Clip on flashers are a great way to be seen. NEVER ASSUME YOU'VE BEEN SEEN. Always be cautious with traffic.
We would like to remind people that they are responsible for their own safety and that they run at their own risk.