RAS DEWI SANT
Saturday, 2nd March 2024
Ras Dewi Sant is a great running weekend in Britian’s smallest city. There are 3 routes to choose from. Marathon, Half, and 10K.
The routes are predominately on the Coast Path that runs around the Pembrokeshire coast National Park and passes by some of the most scenic and historical sites in Wales.
The routes are undulating with world class views, and being on the western tip of wales you have to be prepared for whatever the elements may throw at you. challenge, wind, mud, sun, rain and anything in-between.
The event is over 10 years old and its always been a pleasure to see returning and new faces. What our aim is and always has been is to Offer;
An event that slightly intimidates you, or makes you a little be nervous, In such a way that once you complete the challenge you will have that feeling of achievement and better in your self for it.
(Please note all bookings are subject to a 6% charge by the booking agent)
Interested in beating your time from last year or claiming a course record and being rewarded for it see Ras Dewi Sant Challenge 2023
Ras Dewi Sant Marathon, Half, and 10K
Each route offers it’s own challenge, for distance specific event please see the relevant tab, to book hit the booking tab.
Testimonies
Marathon Man himself Rik Vercoe, the holder of numerous marathon world records and someone who boasts a 39th Place finish in the Marathon des Sables, won the inaugural Ras Dewi Sant back in 2013, said on completion –
“I’ve run a 137 Marathons in 137 weeks and this is the best, the course is stunning”
Additional information
| Course | Full Marathon, Half Marathon |
|---|
The Full Marathon
Ras Dewi Sant Marathon
-
- Date: Saturday 2nd March 2023
- Registration: Friday 1st March Times tbc and Saturday 2nd March.
- Safety Briefing: Electronically and Start Line
- Event Start time: 0800hrs
- Cost: Price £45 – Includes T-shirt, Medal, Aid Stations, timed event, a spectacular course – if not a little bit tough!!!
- Prize Categories: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (male and female), 1st male and female 50-60 and over 60
(Plus Prizes for Course records!!)
Post Race, Back at event HQ there will be food, drink and a massage service, what more could you ask for.
The Course
The start will be in St Davids outside the iconic Bishops Palace. The first 6 miles will be run on a rural country roads. This will help to warm the legs up and spread the pack, before the coast path.
At Porthgain you will join the coast path and for the next 19 miles will experience the best the Pembrokeshire has to offer as you run back towards St Davids. Taking in the delights of, Abereiddy, Pen Beri, (The View), Carn Llidi, (The View) Whitesands, St Justinian, Ramsey Sound, St Non’s and Caerfai. All Iconic spots.
The last mile will see you come off the Path and head back towards St Davids. For those who’ve done it before, you’ll be please to know that the Iconic Finish of:
- The Sting in the dragons tail (The Cathedral Steps)
Is still there and for you Marathon runners, it’s a bit cheeky but you’ll do it at the start and the finish!
Navigating the Course
We will do our best to mark the route and have marshals strategically placed but it is not practical and almost impossible to have every section of the coast path marked with signs. You will see a number of desire lines, animal tracks and footpaths coming off the coast path at various locations – the important thing to remember is – This is a coast path run and the following points should help:-
- Keep the Coast/Sea on your Right
- The Coast Path is marked by the ACORN – Follow the ACORN !
- Footpaths are marked with a walking figure – DO NOT FOLLOW THESE
- If we want you to head off the coast path we will sign post or marshal it
- Please have a look at the route and familiarise yourself!
Mandatory Kit List
- Whistle
- Space Blanket
- Warm clothing hat / gloves / wind/shower proof jacket
- Mobile phone
- Emergency food / drink
- Glow stick / flashing beacon / head torch
We will have a better idea of the forecasted conditions nearer the date and will advise appropriately on any additional measures that we may feel are necessary. But please respect the course, challenge, how quickly the weather can change and the remoteness. (you get the picture) You will need to have the appropriate kit to manage your safety whilst we come a get you.
Ras Dewi Sant – Half Marathon
- Date: Sat 2nd March 2024
- Registration: Friday 1st March TBC and Saturday 2nd March TBC
- Safety Brief: Electronically and on start line
- Start times: 0900hrs
- Cost: Price £35 – Includes T-shirt, Medal, aid stations, timings and a spectacular course.
- Prize Categories: overall 1st, 2nd, 3rd (1st male and Female), 1st Male and female 40-50, 50-60 and over 60
(Plus prizes on offer for course records)
Post Race back at Event HQ, there will be food, drink and a massage service – What more could you ask for.
The Course
The Half Marathon course will be start at the top of the Cathedral Steps, In the heart of St Davids.
You will head out of St Davids via Quickwell Well Hill and the Country lanes that take you to the picturesque hamlet of Treleddyd-Fawr. From here you you take the footpaths that lead over the hills and on to the Coast Path. This section has some great views of the surrounding area. Once on the Coast Path you will head towards St Davids Head. But and a big But! Before you get to the head land, you will be directed in land and up and around Carn Llidi Rock. The climb is hard but the views are outstanding.
From here, you’ll be directed back to the coast path and Whitesands Beach.
At the beach you will join the Coast Path for a 7 mile stint along this spectacular section of the National Park that will take you around to Caerfai Bay. These 7 miles will see you taking in the scenic sights of St Justinian’s, Ramsay Island and Porthclais, at Porthclais Harbour, you will be directed back to St Davids and the last challenge of the day – ‘The Sting in the Dragons Tail’! this is the spectacular 12th Century Cathedral, it’s 39 steps and the sprint finish up them!!!!
Navigating the Course
We will do our best to mark the route and have marshals strategically placed but it is not practical and almost impossible to have every section of the coast path marked with signs. You will see a number of desire lines, animal tracks and footpaths coming off the coast path at various locations – the important thing to remember is this is a coast path run and the following points should help:-
- Keep the Coast/Sea on your Right
- The Coast Path is marked by the ACORN – Follow the ACORN !
- Footpaths are marked with a walking figure – DO NOT FOLLOW THESE
- If we want you to head off the coast path we will sign post or marshal it
- Please have a look at the route and familiarise yourself!
Advisory Kit List
- Whistle
- Space Blanket
- Warm clothing hat / gloves / wind/shower proof jacket
- Mobile phone
- Emergency food / drink
- Glow stick / flashing beacon / head torch
Our View of the Half.
It’s a tough Half, you won’t be getting PB’S but if you do want to get into Marathon’s and Ultra’s and Longer Events. This is an ideal route to test yourself. However if you are looking for a nice day out, with splendid views and a sense of achievement it it equaslly delivers that and so much more.
Video Of New Route / Course Changes
Registration
Date Saturday 4th March 2023
Booking Conditions
Organising events relies on pre-bookings, to establish what our outlays will be and how much of everything we have to order. To make sure that we are not left at a loss by ordering unnecessary items the following policy is in place.
- You can obtain a refund of 80% up until a month before the event
- No refunds will be issued after 1 month before the start of the event
- You can transfer your place to another runner up until 2 weeks before the start of the event.
- You can defer your place to the following years event up until 2 weeks before the start of the event. (only one deferral is allowed)
- You can transfer your entry to another RDS distance, up until 2 weeks before the event (assuming there is space on the other event)
Our events are held in the outdoors in wonderful places and that is what makes them challenging and spectacular. Unfortunately from time to time extreme weather conditions can cause serious disruption to the areas of the event or make the running of the event unsafe or irresponsible. On such occasions we may have to postpone the event. If this is done we will look for the nearest possible date to reschedule the event. If a rescheduled date proves to be unsuccessful or one can not be found entries will be deferred to the following years event.
What this means is
If an event is cancelled due to adverse weather, or an unforeseen incident, emergency or such matter that is totally out of our control; Your options are.
- 50% refund will be given
- You will be deferred to the new date
- If the New date does not suit you, you will be transferred to the following years event.
- Throughout this process you will have the opportunity to transfer your place to another person or swap to another of our events of the same value.
We hope you appreciate the reasons behind such a policy and understand the work and financial commitment that goes into an event in the lead up, such as staff hours, merchandise buying and marketing. And having to cancel or having a large number of request for refunds can make future events unsustainable. We also very much appreciate the time and financial commitment you have put into training and preparing for an event and the frustration you have at it being postponed. That is why we try to be as fair as possible in dealing with these matters.
Our insurance does not cover cancellations, However I know there are companies that cover individual competitors for entry fees on cancelled events. If you do a large amount of events and ones of high value this may be something to look into.
The Ras Dewi Sant – 10k
- Date – Sat 2nd March 2024
- Time – 0900hrs
- Event Briefing – Electronically and on starting line
- Cost – £30
- Goodies – T-shirt and Medal
- Cat – 1/2/3 Male/Female, 1st 50 Plus
Location – St Davids
The shorter route was introduced in 2019 to the Ras Dewi Sant Marathon series and proved very popular. The route offers a mixture of Road and Coast Path all finished off with the iconic Cathedral Climb. It is an ideal run for those who like a faster run, want an introduction to Coast path running or just like the distance and a chance to admire the views.
It is not an easy 10k and there are sections that will make you work hard, gain probably not a PB course, but it is certainly achievable.
