Saturday 14th June saw Newport & District Running Club’s father & son duo John & Oliver Stokes venture to the Welsh coast to take part in what is described as probably the most picturesque 10k run in the UK: the “where the mountains meet the sea” Barmouth 10k. The start and finish are from the aptly named Davy Jones Locker. 

John and Oliver Stokes at the Barmouth 10k

The route takes runners out of Barmouth to run along the iconic Barmouth Bridge across the estuary and onto the Mawddach Trail and back, accompanied, if timed right, by the “Transport for Wales” Shrewsbury-bound train. The weather forecast was not great for the race this year, threatening heavy rain and thundery showers. 

The day started overcast and didn’t look promising, however the rain held off until midday with a torrential downpour; those running back over the bridge at this point were hit with an easterly blast of what could only be described as sharp needles hitting people from all angles. After crossing back over the railway bridge, participants run back into town to the sound of the  Batala Bermo drummers.

Both John & Oliver got course PBs by 17 and 9 seconds respectively, with John finishing 823rd in a time of 1 hour 18 minutes, 56 seconds, and Oliver clocking a time of 52:27 to finish 254th.