Three Peaks Trial Bronze Route - The Movie!

Whilst completing the Bronze Route Paul Manser (who also has a website http://www.paulmanser.com/) kindly made a short film of the walk which can be seen at Click Here.

Charity Cakes For Sale Just Before Cpt 2 in Gilwern

Last year many walkers commented on how much they enjoyed the charity cake stall provided by the group of midwives, 'The Delivery Girls' who have kindly returned this year raising money for Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust. They serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate and soup, filled rolls and homemade cakes. All proceeds go to the charities.You'll find them on the Gold and Silver Routes just before Checkpoint 2 in Glangrwyney, at Lower Common about halfway along Glangrwyney road between The Corn Exchange and Glangrwyney bridge. It's a property on the left (look out for the signs). They also have a Facebook fundraising page called 'The Delivery Girls'.

Walk Planner Website

Walker Jamie Knap has suggested a useful walk planner website. "It is a walk planner people can use to create walks over an Ordnance Survey map for free. It provides key information such as distance and elevation. People can also print out the walk and download a GPX file for use with GPS devices if wanted (so there is no excuse for getting lost!) You can see it here https://www.hikideas.co.uk/

All Routes Now FULL!

All Routes are now full. 

Thanks to all those who've entered.

Event History - Margaret Manley & Crickhowell Youth Hostel

 Bob Manley, who first did the Three Peaks Trial in 1964, looks back at when the event started and was based at the now closed Crickhowell Youth Hostel. The Youth Hostel was also run by his Mum, Margaret Manley

 

 For the full newspaper article (from 1972)  CLICK HERE

BOB MANLEY WRITES: I was for a while the youngest person ever to do the Three Peaks Trial. I was twelve in 1964, when it all started from Crickhowell Youth Hostel, where my mum was the warden. 

I joined a party of scouts from Birmingham that stayed in the hostel. The leader was quite laid back, and we started quite late. We climbed Sugar Loaf, and then the Skirrid, then back into Abergavenny where the leader decided to take us all into Quo Vardis Fish and chip shop for tea. We were probably in there for up to an hour, so we didn’t start to climb the Blorenge till after 5pm. 

We never did find the trig point on the top, as by this time it was getting dark. We made the rough descent from the top down to the Blaenavon road, where Chris Barber (the event founder) who was out looking for us picked me up in his car and returned me to Crickhowell. The rest of the scouts carried on walking, and arrived back about 8.30. Happy days....

The article above is from The Abergavenny Chronicle when mum was about to retire from the hostel. N.B. I get a mention in the article, although I’m christened Robert, mum always called me Robin but am now known as Bob.

THANK YOU TO THE 797 WHO TOOK PART IN THE 2017 EVENT!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to the 797 walkers who took part in this year’s Three Peaks Trial! Another huge turnout!

Cardiff Outdoor Group would particularly like to thank:

• Longtown Mountain Rescue Team – LMRT for marshalling all the mountain top checkpoints.
• St David’s Hospice Foundation and Elenydd Wilderness Trust who helped marshall the event.
• Councillor Nick Tatum of Abergavenny Town Council who helped in a number of roles.throughout the day.
•  The team of midwives, 'The Delivery Girls', who were fundraising for Breast Cancer Care, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action who had a charity cake stall just before Checkpoint 2 in Glangrwyney.

The Charities and Fundraisers who supported the event:

• St David’s Hospice Foundation;
• The Vine Trust (a charity who supply volunteers to the poorest parts of the Third World). Jonathan Prestage, aged 16, from Kent is raising funds on the Three Peaks Trial for this charity and he's written a piece on the 3PT blog

 We hope to see you all again at the 2018 event!

The numbers on each route were:

Platinum 124; Gold 523; Silver 118; Bronze 32; (Total = 797)The first walkers back on each route were:

Platinum:  Richard O'Shea (59) from Cwmbran returned in 3 hours 34 minutes after the bus dropped them at Llanthony at 8:30.


Gold: William Fox (55) from Chepstow got back in 4 hours 7 minutes after leaving Abergavenny at 8am.


Silver: David Brunsdon from Cwmbran was first back at 11:26 after leaving Abergavenny at about 8am.


Bronze: Philip George (59) from Gloucester was first back in 2 hours 2 minutes. Oldest/Youngest on Routes:

On Platinum Route the oldest was Clive Cochrane (74) from Abergavenny who got back at 16:35 and the youngest entrant was Elliott Booth (15) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire who returned at 18:05.

On Gold Route the oldest was Mike Laurence (74) from Chepstow who got back at 15:22. Thirteen teenagers also did the walk the youngest being Edryd Lewis (13) from Cardiff who returned at 18:44 whilst the fastest was 17 year old Bethan Lewis from Bridgend who got back at 14:45.

The oldest back on Silver Route was Roger Williams (70) from Newport who got back at 16:14. The youngest entrant was Olivia Taphouse (13) from Oxfordshire who returned at 17:16.

On Bronze Route the oldest were Owen and Lyn Rook, both 65 and from Cardiff who returned at 15:25.The walker who came from the furthest away to do the event was James Matthews who lives in Paris.
Non-Finishers
 
Of those who failed to finish there were:
 
Platinum = 3; Gold = 33; Silver = 9; Bronze = 0

The weatherman on friday said "If you've planned an outdoor event this weekend you won't be disappointed" and for once he was right! Sunshine all day.

Walker Raising Funds for the Vine Trust

Jonathan Prestage, aged 16, from Kent, hopes to raise sponsorship from the event to support the Vine Trust, a volunteering charity which aims to make a real difference for some of the poorest children and communities in the world.

He is planning go on a volunteering trip to Peru in July, with around 30 other students from his school. The purpose of the trip will be be to build and maintain homes for children who have been living on the streets, thus rescuing them from a dangerous and distressing situation. Sponsorship from the event will contribute to the costs of the trip.

Jonathan has taken part in the South Wales 3 Peaks Trial three times before, completing the Bronze Route in 2014 and the Silver Route, twice, in 2015 and 2016.

Jonathan's fundraising page can be found at http://www.vinetrust.org/fundraise/peru3

Charity Cakes For Sale Just Before Cpt 2 in Gilwern

Some friends of participants on the Gold and Silver Routes have a charity cake stall just before Checkpoint 2 in Glangrwyney, at Lower Common about halfway along Glangrwyney road between The Corn Exchange and Glangrwyney bridge. It's a property on the left (look out for the signs). They have a Facebook page called 'The Delivery Girls' and are raising money for Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust. They serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate and soup, filled rolls and homemade cakes. All proceeds go to the charities.

All Routes Now FULL!

 

All Routes are now full. 

Thanks to all those who've entered.

Event Report in the Abergavenny Chronicle

The ABERGAVENNY CHRONICLE did a report of this year's event. To read the article, '
Three Peaks Trial attracts walkers from all over the country, CLICK HERE.

THANK YOU TO THE 768 WHO TOOK PART IN THE 2016 EVENT!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to the 768 walkers who took part in this year’s Three Peaks Trial! Another huge turnout!

Cardiff Outdoor Group would particularly like to thank:

• Longtown Mountain Rescue Team – LMRT for marshalling all the mountain top checkpoints.
• St David’s Hospice Foundation and Elenydd Wilderness Trust who helped marshall the event.
• Councillor Nick Tatum of Abergavenny Town Council who helped in a number of roles.throughout the day.

The Charities and Fundraisers who supported the event:

• St David’s Hospice Foundation;
• The Vine Trust (a charity who supply volunteers to the poorest parts of the Third World);
• Emmaus South Wales (a charity for the homeless in South Wales);
• The Brain and Spine Foundation (a charity for helping patients and their families cope with severe neurological conditions).

We hope to see you all again at the 2017 event!

The first walkers back on each route were:

Platinum Route: David Little (50) from Bristol returned at 13:17 after the bus dropped them at Llanthony at 8:30.

Gold Route: Richard O'shea (58) from Abergavenny got back at 11:44 after leaving Abergavenny at 8am.

Silver Route: Philip George (58) from Gloucester was first back at 12:10.

Bronze Route: A group of five arrived back at 13:05 - Fiona Richardson (51) from Reigate, Surrey, Verity Langley (44) and Paul Manser (46) both from Eastbourne, Dave Baylis (56) and Wayne Rattle (57) both from New Inn, Nr Pontypool.

Oldest/Youngest on Routes:

The oldest on Platinum Route was Brian Petty (75) from Bristol who got back at 17:28.

The youngest  were two 17 year olds, Aled Phillips from Solihull 16:32 and Kieran Knight from Raglan got back at 18:33.

On Gold Route the oldest was Rollo Lewis (67) from Abergavenny who got back at 16:05.

On Silver Route the oldest was Steve Waring (69) from Usk who got back at 15:40 and the

youngest was 11 year old Chantal Martinez from from Kenfig |Hill who got back at 17:36.

The oldest back on Bronze Route was David Pattison, 63 and from Milton Keynes who returned at 16:21. The youngest were a group of three 12 year olds - Olivia Fowler, Harriet Wood and Jodi Fear from Weston Super Mare, who got back at 15:35.

Walker Raising Funds For Emmaus South Wales

Hi, I’m Laura McGreevy, supporter and member of the Fundraising committee of emmaus South Wales. I have been working with this wonderful charity for two years now. I just had a very big birthday, so I thought this would be a good year to take on something immensely challenging. My husband Eamonn and friends Roger and Carol will join me on the South Wales Three Peaks Trial. 

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If you wish to make a donation please ensure you are on Laura's Three Peaks page https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lauramcgreevy and not the main ESW page.

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At Emmaus South Wales we are working together to end homelessness.

We know that overcoming homelessness often means more than a roof over your head. That is why Emmaus supports people to work their way out of homelessness, providing meaningful work as well a stable home for as long as someone needs it.

Emmaus was established by Abe Pierre, a Catholic priest who opened the first community in Paris in 1949. Since then this non-religious movement has grown to include more than 400 communities worldwide. There are presently 24 communities in England and Scotland. The very first community for South Wales was opened in early 2016 in Bridgend. 

Terry Waite, CBE, is the President of Emmaus, and the Duchess of Cornwall is our Royal Patron. 

We make a difference

The Emmaus story is really a story about ‘Companions’, as our residents are called. The reasons for their homelessness vary; relationship breakdown, substance abuse, poverty. But all Companions share a desire and drive to have a fresh start. At Emmaus they learn new skills, discover hidden talents and develop friendships, giving them a sense of self-worth and independence. Companions often credit Emmaus as a turning point in their lives. The point when they shifted from despair to hope. 

Everyone at Emmaus South Wales works together and makes a contribution to their community. This restores self-esteem and helps companions to find a positive way to move on with their lives. 

There is no limit to how long Companions can stay in an Emmaus Community. Some stay just long enough to get back on their feet. Others stay long term. 

Companions live by a few basic rules: All are expected to work to the best of their ability within the social enterprise. This may be working in one of the seven shops, driving a delivery truck or working within the community home. There is also a ‘no drinks, drugs, or violence’ rule. 

Emmaus currently runs seven charity shops throughout South Wales. These are in Bridgend (2), Maesteg, Neath, Porthcawl, Cowbridge and Aberdare. These not only provide work opportunities for our Companions, but also serve the local communities with affordable high quality goods. 

Walker Raising Funds For Brain & Spine Foundation

Dear supporter, friend and sponsor,

It’s that time of year again when I start my fundraising activities for the Brain and Spine Foundation Charity. I’ll be running again with Team Phillips at the London marathon on April 24th where we hope to raise £10,000.

This will be my 465th marathon and so far with the help of Team P I’ve raised £86,000 for the charity. Let’s hope we can reach our goal.


As usual we have the Daily Telegraph’s backing for the B&S team and this year our non-running captain is ex England hooker Brian Moore. As an ex hooker myself we have a lot in common. Once a hooker always a hooker!

If you would like to sponsor me please visit/click on the virginmoneygiving site below where donations can be made and you can read all about Team Phillips.

If you would rather pay by cheque please send it to my home address below (made out to David Phillips Marathon Account) or pay directly into my special bank account per below.

In anticipation of your support I thank you on behalf of the Brain and Spine Foundation whose details can be seen on our virginmoneygiving site.

Only recently the B&S charity made me an Ambassador and that’s mainly due the generosity of my sponsors over the last 15 years so many thanks there.

Best wishes and thanks again.

David Phillips.

Virgin site:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/phillips2016

The Brain and Spine Foundation Charity details are on our virgin site above. Click the B&S section and you should see me so beware!!

My address:

13, Oakdene Close, Claverdon, Nr Warwick. CV358PZ.

All Routes Now FULL!

All Routes are now full. 

Thanks to all those who've entered.

Walker Raising Funds For The Vine Trust

Jonathan Prestage, aged 15, from Kent, hopes to raise sponsorship from the event to support the Vine Trust, a volunteering charity which aims to make a real difference for some of the poorest children and communities in the world.

He is planning go on a volunteering trip to Peru in 2017, with around 30 other students from his school. The purpose of the trip will be be to build and maintain homes for children who have been living on the streets, thus rescuing them from a dangerous and distressing situation. Sponsorship from the event will contribute to the costs of the trip.

Jonathan has taken part in the South Wales 3 Peaks Trial twice before, completing the Bronze Route in 2014 and the Silver Route, which he found quite a challenge in 2015’s conditions!

Jonathan's fundraising page can be found at http://www.vinetrust.org/fundraise/peru3

New Website Being Trialled

We're trialing a new version of the website. Click Here to view the website.

Click Here to let us know what you think!

£8,803 Raised in 2015

Michelle Kelly Award

On 28th June at the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team base in Abergavenny, Cardiff Outdoor Group welcomed Michelle Kelly to present an Award. The Award was to mark Michelle's amazing feat of endurance when, on 28th March 2015 she completed a triple Three Peaks Trial Gold Route Challenge in an absolutely incredible time of 19 hours 50 minutes.

Award Attendees:

Representatives from Cardiff Outdoor Group, Longtown Mountain Rescue Team and Abergavenny Town Council attended the event. In the attached photo, from left to righ, are:

Chris Lewis (Three Peaks Trial Coordinator for Cardiff Outdoor Group);

Jane Ormrod (Cardiff Outdoor Group Committee Member);

Michelle Kelly;

Councillor Nick Tatam (Abergavenny Town Council);

Luke Lewis (Team Leader for Longtown Mountain Rescue).

The Achievement
Michelle's achievement involved climbing over 15,000 feet in 60 miles. To put that in some sort of perspective to climb Mount Everest from Base Camp to the summit involves a climb of 11,500+ feet of ascent in 12 miles. So when you compare a triple Three Peaks Trial to that of climbing Everest you could argue Michelle's achievement was the greater!

The endurance needed was really extraordinary. Chris Lewis, who coordinates the event for Cardiff Outdoor Group said “I’ve completed a single 'lap' of the Three Peaks Trial a number of times and every time have ended the event exhausted almost unable to put one foot in front of the other so I am in awe of what Michelle has accomplished. Its a feat of endurance that went way above and beyond.”

Michelle started at 2:30am on that Saturday morning and with the support of family members who placed a number of glow sticks to guide her in the early darkness, she eventually finished the gruelling feat at 9:30pm in the evening. 

Michelle was asked if she is tempted to try four times and replied “Whilst it would be possible for someone to do the route four times in 24 hours but it won't be me”!

On presenting the award Chris Lewis said to Michelle “You are an inspiration to us all.”

Abergavenny fundraiser Michelle was motivated to undertake this huge challenge in memory of her nephew who died in October 2014. He worked for PGL who help under-priviledged children experience the great outdoors and Michelle raised over £900 for this great organisation.

Definition of Endurance

There are many sayings about endurance which perhaps give us some insight into what Michelle did on that day 28th March 2015. For example a definition often used for endurance is “It’s the power to withstand pain and hardships, it’s the ability to continue despite fatigue, stress or other adversity.”  And the writer JRR Tolkien put it another way and said “It’s not the strength of the body that counts but the strength of the spirit.”

What is the Three Peaks Trial Challenge?

The Three Peaks Trial Challenge Walk was set up in 1963 by local author Chris Barber. The event has taken place every year since with up to 900 people coming all over the UK to tke part and is made up of four different routes. The Gold Route is the original challenge; a circular walk over Blorenge, Sugar Loaf and Skirrid mountains. The Silver Route is a circular walk of about 15 miles with 4,000ft of ascent. The Bronze Route is a circular walk of about 10 miles and 2,000ft of ascent. The Platinum Route is a linear walk of about 17 miles and 5,000ft of ascent from Llanthony Abbey to Abergavenny over Bal Mawr, Pen Cerrig Calch and Sugar Loaf.

Inscription on the Award:

The inscription on the Award reads "Awarded to Michelle Kelly for the Outstanding Achievement of Completing a Triple Three Peaks Trial ‘Gold’ Challenge Walk  on 28th March 2015 in 19 hours and 50 minutes, the only person to have accomplished this remarkable feat of endurance". A photo of the Award is attached.

Event Report in the South Wales Argus

The SOUTH WALES ARGUS did a report of this year's  event. To read the article, 'More Than 700 Complete Abergavenny Three Peaks Trial', CLICK HERE. 

Runner Michelle Kelly Does the 'TRIPLE' Gold Route!

Michelle on top of Skirrid on her third lap!

Last year Michelle Kelly from Abergavenny amazed everyone by doing 'two laps' of the Gold Route. This year she did the incredible and went round THREE times in an extraordinary 19 hours and 50 minutes!  This is a truly amazing achievement.
Michelle started at 02:30 on Saturday morning and with the support of family members who placed a number of glow sticks (which they removed afterwards) to guide her in the early darkness she eventually finished the gruelling feat at 21:20. Michelle was asked if she is tempted to try four times and Michelle said it would be possible for someone to do the route four times in 24 hours but it won't be her!

Also Michelle said the main reason for doing the challenge was in memory of her nephew who died last October. He worked for PGL and Michelle was keen to raise some funds for this organisation who help under-privalidged children experience the great outdoors and so far she's raised in excess of e£900.