Athletics: Clock on... and be part of a race against time

Feb 27 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

TO celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Tredegar Town Clock, Tredegar Town council has resurrected the Newport to Tredegar 21 mile Road Race, known as the Clock to Clock race.

Starting at the Clock Tower at Newport Civic Centre the 21 mile point to point course finishes at Tredegar Town Clock with the course rising from sea level to just over 1400ft.

As one of the oldest long distance races in Wales if not the UK the race is steeped in history being first run in 1963 as part of Tredegar’s Christmas celebrations and was organised by the Tredegar Chamber of Trade for many years.

The course record of one hour 53 minutes 26 seconds was set by Bob Sercombe in 1973 and many world class long distance runners have participated including Martyn Daykin, Mark Pickard, Mick McGeoch and Nantyglo mountain man Gwyn Williams.

International athletes such as Norman Wilson, Dave Francis, Alan Rushmer, Maurice Cowman, Ali Cole, Ritchie Bullen and Dave & John Walsh have made the trek up the Gwent Valley while local runners in Club 69 were regular winners of the team trophy, particularly in the latter years of the race’s history.

This years event is limited to 100 athletes and is being held on Sunday 22nd June 2008.

Entries are £5.00 (no entries on the day) & entry forms and more details are available from Dr John Evans. Tel: 01495 722352 email: tredegartc@btconnect.com

For more athletics news:See Saturday’s South Wales Echo