Rest Bay to Sker and beyond
Trail and coast path running
Coached runs on the Wales Coast Path and the Kenfig dunes: running on rock, sand and grass, climbing, descending and pacing by effort.
The coast path west of Porthcawl is some of the best running in Wales: rock shelves, sand, short steep climbs and the sea the whole way. It is also slower and harder than the promenade, and that takes some learning.
Guided runs leave Rest Bay car park at 9am on Sundays: about ten kilometres to Sker Point and back, or into the Kenfig dunes, at a pace where everyone can talk. A coach leads and another follows.
We teach the skills as we go: short quick steps on rock, walking the steep climbs (everyone does), relaxing on the descents, and running by effort, because a trail kilometre can take twice as long as a road one.
Trail runs go out in most weather, but not in high wind on the cliffs or when the tide cuts the beach route. Check the run club page for the morning's message.
What is included
- A guided 8 to 12km run with two coaches
- Skills: rock, sand, climbing and descending
- Effort pacing rather than watch pacing
- Route and tide planned in advance
- One a month included in run club membership
What it costs
£12 a guided run, or included in run club membership once a month. Every price is on the services page; the race predictor works out your training paces.
Questions about trail and coast path
Do I need trail shoes?
Not for the first few runs in summer. In winter the grass is slippery and grip helps.
How fit do I need to be?
Able to run 8km on the road comfortably. Trail running is slower, so 10km on the coast path takes most people 75 to 90 minutes.
Is it safe?
The cliff sections are wide and well away from the edge; we avoid them in strong wind, and carry a phone, a first aid kit and a foil blanket.
Your first club run is free. Tuesday, 6:30, the lighthouse.
Turn up five minutes early and find a coach in a teal jacket. There are four pace groups and a back marker who finishes last on purpose, so whatever your pace, you will not be running on your own.