I started at Penlle’r Castell and finished at Rhossili Coastguard Station.
My dad dropped me off in what felt like the middle of nowhere. I hiked up to the start, started my watch next to stone 50 and then flew back down the hill. Luckily the weather was sunny so the moorland didn’t feel bleak at all and the views were amazing. Then I dropped down into Lliw Reservoir with stunning pine forest on the approach to the upper reservoir.
I must admit the tarmac sections (the roads from Pontlliw and then the bike path) were a bit draining but were handy for ticking off the miles.
Nearly had to call it a day when I entered a field of cows with a few calves just below Cillibion and they were standing right where I needed to get through, but luck was on my side and the herd went rushing into another field, with me gingerly following them at a safe distance and hoping they didn’t turn back.
I popped into the post office at Reynoldston for a much needed bottle of water and a packet of crisps. I’d been surviving on energy chews until then.
The last few miles were bit of a slog to the finish. I was finding it difficult to run on rocky farm tracks on very tired legs. In fact I didn’t even mind the climb up Rhossili Down as it was a good excuse to walk. Then I just had to navigate the Gower ponies with their foals on the path to the coastguard station before I collapsed next to the final stone and stopped my watch.
The weather was perfect (though little hot by the end), the scenery was gorgeous, and it was a glorious day for a long running adventure.
Would recommend!