CF64 Winter Race

BACKGROUND

The CF64 Winter Race is a 6.4 mile/10.2 km (approx.) mixed-terrain race set off-road entirely within Cosmeston Lakes Country Park in Penarth.

The race is organised by Penarth and Dinas Runners (email: pdrunners@gmail.com) and licensed by Welsh Athletics (2024 race licence no. TR-24-5).

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is one of the finest country parks in South Wales and is a designated local nature reserve. It offers some scenic running, with views of the lakes, open countryside, marshy areas and shaded wooded sections.

In establishing ‘CF64’ in 2018, our aim was to put on a low cost, ‘no frills’, mid-winter off-road race for the local running community. The course will challenge experienced runners, particularly those looking to sharpen their mid-season cross-country speed, but is also suited to newer and social runners looking to try out an off-road mixed-terrain race. There’s trails, woodlands, hills, fast tarmac sections and very likely mud, plus some great scenery to enjoy on the twisting course around the park. Plus the usual excellent level of support from Penarth and Dinas Runners and friends.

(Website photos by Abyd Quinn Aziz)

Following the very recent introduction of a new ‘Conservation Grazing’ scheme in the park by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, it’s been necessary to modify the course from its original design, to ensure there's adequate separation between race participants and grazing livestock.

The previous open space of the Dovecot Field section of the course, where animals will be grazing, has been removed and replaced by an additional central loop along Mile Road, through Cogan Wood and the West Paddock (from marshal point 31 via points 37, 2, 4, 22, 26 and 30 back to point 31 - see course map).

Where runners briefly enter the lower corner of the Dovecot Field, additional fencing will be used to keep volunteers, runners and livestock safely separated.

The undulating course is still entirely off-road within the park, on a variety of surfaces, through woodland and meadows, scrubland, and a few marshy areas. The course distance is approximately 6.4 miles (10.2 km).

The course will be marshalled at all key points, with additional signage to guide runners through unattended sections. Mile markers will be positioned around the course.

A first-aid station is located centrally at the race HQ, along with a 4x4 rapid response vehicle for attending on-course emergencies and serious injuries.

There is a cut-off time of 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the race (approx. 14 min./mile pace). Runners exceeding the cut-off time may not receive a result and may possibly be asked to withdraw from the later stages of the race.