14
Jan

HAY ON WYE WEEKEND

Summer weekend trip to Hay on Wye 13-16th June 2025

For the third year running (ahem), a flock of harriers are returning to the famous literary market town of Hay-on-Wye to do the Offa’s Dyke 15-mile event on Saturday 14th June, along with other – more social – activities. This long-standing multi-terrain run takes in a hilly section of the famous Offa’s Dyke Path between Hay and Kington (link to Google Earth Route).

There are some tough hills along the way, but the scenery alone makes it worthwhile. The event organisers also offer the option of sharing the run with up to 3 legs (although one leg is quite short so probably worth only considering teams of 2). A couple of shorter runs (including the local Parkrun) will also be available over the weekend for anyone who fancies something less demanding and free, ensuring there’s a distance suitable for everybody over the weekend.

As before, we’re staying just a short walk from the town, at a campsite and outdoor centre where there is plenty of room for runners and their partners/families to spend the weekend in town swimming, hill walking, shopping, eating, drinking and generally relaxing. Hay Castle has recently been reopened after a huge restoration project, and Hay Bluff is a lovely moderate ascent offering fantastic views just 15 minutes drive from the lodge & campsite.The site can also offer relaxed canoe trips on the Wye, and there are a number of great walks/bike rides straight from the field gate. Even wild swimming in the Wye is just 5 minute walk away to ease any stiff legs.

Very rough outline of the long weekend (13th – 16th June) includes some or all of the below:

  • Arrival Friday afternoon/evening and catch up with your club buddies.
  • Saturday morning 9am: Parkrun hosted by the local running club Hay Hotfooters for many years, but inaugural ‘official’ parkrun held just this weekend (28.10.23).
  • Saturday 11am: Offas’ Dyke 15mile trail run.
  • Saturday afternoon relax/recover at the lodge/campsite or stroll/bike into town for shops and refreshment.
  • Saturday evening – main group social meal / BBQ / Party – the campsite has it’s own licensed bar and covered barn in the event of rain.
  • Sunday morning possibly a comfortable guided 10km trail event on an undulating course nearby, with breathtaking 360 degree views on offer. Last year we were greeted and cuddled by a flock of adorable (and pretty tame) lambs en route!
  • Sunday afternoon – please ourselves – swimming in, or canoeing on the Wye river, sunbathing, picnic, rounders etc. perhaps another group meal or trip into town – see above.
  • Monday morning depart, perhaps a walk up Hay Bluff before heading home.

See Facebook for more details and please contact Kevin Brady with any queries – see photos from the inaugural trip in 2023 and also these from last year.