Number pick up was held in the social club, in the town of Glynneath, this was very well organised, with a list of names and volunteers assisting with handing the numbers out. There were toilet facilities here and at the leisure centre that were available to the runners however, the ones in the leisure centre I don't think they were up to the sheer volume of users that morning.

The race takes place approximately one mile down the road, on a quiet B road heading down the Neath valley. The road remains closed through the duration of the race.

This race was started by Max Boyce, although it doesn't look like he hung around to see the runners back in. I can't say for sure he wasn't there, I was concentrating on not dying (only that morning had my nose stopped streaming with a cold - thanks Ben "if its in my face, I can race" :) )

It was a really good turnout and whilst they label this course as being fast and flat, its not. It is very much downhill on the way out and uphill on the way back.

Once you'd finished, you made your way back up to the social club where there was tea, coffee and cawl (Welsh soup) available for a donation and the bar was open - result! It is here that you collected your race medal.

A lovely little boxing day race. Will be back to do this again, especially if i've got to head to Swansea to see my family on Boxing Day.

This race is perfect for clearing the Christmas cobwebs and helps me burn off the several tonnes of food I’ve mamaged to eat the week before.

Registration is easy, either online or on the day. This year I entered on the day, plenty of places available and no queueing. Registration and medal collection is in the community hall whilst the start line is about a mile away near the leisure centre. There’s not much parking down there so go early if you want a spot in the car park. For the first time ever, there was a short queue for the men’s toilets and the ladies had no queue! 

Max Boyce, a famous welsh comedian got us underway this year (although I couldn’t hear a thing he was saying from where I was). If you haven’t done it before you might want to start a little closer to the front so you can hear what’s being said. I still haven’t heard any proper race briefing but that may be because I’m always half way back and there’s no sound system.

The race is all tarmac, 2.5 miles out and back. It is not flat! It’s essentially a generally downhill first half followed by an uphill second half. The halfway point is a traffic cone in the middle of the road and marshals directing you back up. There was no water station this year, but for a cold 5 miles I’m not sure it’s really needed.

It’s not chip timed and the start/finish is a chalk line on the road. Once you finish you’ll need to go back up the main road to the hall to pick up your medal.

I really enjoy this race and this year was even better for the company of @firsthurdle and others. I’ll definitely be back there next year!