The 2012 Where Ravens Dare was the most successful in its three year history. It seems to have finally captured the attention of the walking/running community. 164 people signed up in advance with a further 34 turning up on the day. No doubt that the glorious autumnal day had a lot to do with ensuring people took part. The walkers enjoyed clear blue skies with cloud inversions in the valleys themselves whilst the temperature remained perfect.
Finally, a big thank you to all the wonderful helpers who made the day run so smoothly. The feedback from the entrants shows that an excellent job was done and for that we can all be justifiably proud.
2012 Results Video by John Pennifold Photographs by John Pennifold
Comments from entrants on the 2012 event
(Many thanks from the organisers for the feedback)
Its not often I feel moved enough to praise an event on this forum but Where Ravens Dare (WRD) is an exception. Wales has always been a favourite area of mine – its green, its hilly and its wild and WRD has all three (plus a GPX file of the route – so helpful to those of us who don’t live on the doorstep and don’t know a Fach from a Fawr). The welcome at the start was very friendly and continued at every CP. Smiles were in abundance and the food the LDWA at its best. We were treated to tuna and roasted pepper, smoked salmon and cream cheese (with filling right into the corners!) and Nutella and banana sandwiches to name but half those on offer. I noticed a beetroot combo but was dragged away by my companion before I put on too many excess ounces on the widening hips. Back at base, three delicious homemade soups were on offer and a table groaning under the weight of several homemade plates of unusual and therefore very tempting, not to mention delicious, cakes – they were moist, flavoursome and beautifully finished and presented. All of which had been prepared by one woman – single-handed! South Wales group had obviously had put a great deal of effort into their event and David Morgan and Shirley Hume were very open about forthcoming plans which was music to my ears.
The group have event organisation to be proud of, a beautiful area with which to delight their entrants and on this weekend especially, wall to wall sunshine (and for those registered with TUK – three concrete pillars) – heaven. Roll on Rhondda Rollercoaster 11th May 2013 – its in my diary already and well worth the three and a half hour journey from the Pennine foothills, a night in Premier Inn luxury and the meagre £7 entry fee.
I can only echo the comments written below, what a stunning event.
And here is my blog post (and photo’s) which simply don’t do it justice, but might persuade some of the merits of a journey down to south Wales.
I hope you guys and girls feel proud of yourselves this evening….you put on a fantastic event today; brilliant route, fantastic friendly volunteers and amazing food. Chapeau!
Where Ravens Dare. Fantastic day. Smashed last year’s time too ;o)
Just a quick message to thank all those involved in the walk last Saturday. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and the sandwiches and cake at the checkpoints and at the finish were unbelieveably good (especially the soup at the finish!)
I’ll definitely be back in the Valleys for Where Raven’s Dare 2013 (and will make sure I take the right path off Mynydd Machen next time!)
Just a quick Email to say a big “thank you”. The event was wonderfully organised. And the views were to die for. Thank you for making me aware that there is a lot more to South Wales than the Brecon Beacons!
The food at the checkpoints was great. And finally the convenience of being able to register on-line, download the route description and GPX route are also greatly appreciated.
Just a big thank you for all your work in putting this on. Cannot fault the organisation, logistics or route description. If not quite as hot as last year (hottest October day on record) some jelly or tinned fruit would still have been welcome at a CP or the finish.
Wonderful clear views of distant hills (and close ones?!)