The Gwyn Matthews’ Rhondda Rollercoaster – 2019 Report & Results , South Wales LDWA

£10 found on the route during the event. If you think it is yours please email the event organiser with the location.

Saturday 11^th May presented perfect walking conditions in the Rhondda Valley’s with blue skies, a light breeze and dry conditions underfoot. Gwyn Matthew’s, who developed the Rhondda Rollercoaster Challenge walk, loved to walk in the area and it is in his memory the South Wales Long Distance Walking Group (LDWA) continue the tradition of this visually spectacular Spring walk for LDWA members and non-members alike.

A willing team of volunteers worked before, during and after the event to provide over 200 participants with a challenging experience and an enjoyable day.

Some of our participants experiences and reflections on the day are included below. The overriding message is that everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed themselves, would agree that it is a genuine challenge and importantly would participate in the Rollercoaster again. Results are available on the South Wales website: 16 mile event and 26 mile event, also the results are on-line from the LDWA website where they can be downloaded and fed into a spreadsheet to be sorted as you wish.

It is my pleasure, as Challenge Walk Co-ordinator for our South Wales Group, to thank each and everyone of our volunteer group listed below for their time and commitment, their sandwich and soup making skills and cake making prowess. Strong teamwork helped make the day enjoyable for all concerned, event participants and all at HQ and the Checkpoints (CP), the hours passed without a major hitch and with many smiles and laughs along the way.

We won’t mention the car with volunteers, equipment and food that got lost on its way between Gilfach Goch and Llanwonno! All was not lost, our PACER manager at HQ pulled up Google maps, and with street names being read by the car’s passenger, guided the car to its second place of CP volunteering. And in all honesty, the third volunteering place for the driver who had started before 6am in the morning.

Feedback from participants

Massively impressed with the #rhonddarollercoaster organisation. The instructions were amazing, the food and drink were wonderful, an absolutely top day. Many thanks to all involved.

26 miles of this stunning landscape and lots of hills but well worth it and a great bunch of people alongside me. Now for a cold beer!!

A little bit windy, but plenty of fresh air & great views, supporting family & friends taking part in the South Wales LDWA Rhondda Rollercoaster! Immensely proud of family members for participating, walking in some tough conditions but finished with a smile! Well Done!

Fantastic day out in the Rhondda today for The Gwyn Matthews Rhondda Rollercoaster – weather was perfect & the scenery spectacular. Many thanks to everyone involved in making it a great event (& extra thanks for the gluten free options at the checkpoints)

I’d just like to say a big thank you to all the marshals, organising team and Ferne Davies for putting on such a great event on Saturday.

Enjoyed it as always and we were superbly looked after.

Hi, just a quick note to say how very much my friend and I enjoyed your event at the weekend. FABULOUS. This was our first visit to the Rhondda but it won’t be the last!! Everyone was so very friendly and joyous, the check point were ‘feast’ stations and the weather gods were very kind too!! Thank you very much for a fantastic day!

Thank you very much for all your hard work on Saturday – It was a great day and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you very much for what was a thoroughly enjoyable day. It wasn’t easy, but we enjoyed it and met new friends on the way. The food and checkpoint stops were very nice and all members of your group were lovely. The food at the end too was just delicious! Please pass our thanks on to all concerned from myself and my wife who stepped in last minute and also completed the very tough course! Many thanks

Thankyou to everyone who gave their time in whatever capacity to support the

2019 GWYN MATTHEWS’ RHONDDA ROLLERCOASTER

Norma

Arny

Rod

Gerry

Shirley

Hannah

John

Jamie

Simon

Judith

Laura

Ferne

Claire

Margaret

Jill

Rob

Valmai

Manisha

Eddy

Sara

Sian

Hugh

Heather

Cheryl

Alan

Andrew

Sue

Dave

Alwyn

Ann

Dave M

Gill

A special thankyou is extended to Margaret Evans; she normally walks the route but was unable to do so due to injury. Instead she volunteered her services at the Ton Pentre Checkpoint & also roped in her mother & her neighbour who helped her to make sandwiches (including gluten free ones), superb cupcakes, decorated in our South Wales Groups colours, cakes & flapjacks. A massive thankyou to you all for your support, it was unexpected & very much appreciated. FERNE

Ferne Davies
South Wales LDWA Challenge Walk Co-ordinator 2019