This race in the past has been a 7miler but due to recent forest fires it has been chopped (no pun intended) to a 5miler.

The race start was 19:00hrs with a briefing 10 minutes before by Mike Heare from Islwyn Running Club, who is a very experianced race director who always manages to get all the salient safety information across to all the runners, with a bit of humour thrown in for good measure.

As the heading suggests this is a no frills kind of race, everyone is aware of this and loves this race for that reason, no medal, no tshirt just the way it should be for a race of this nature.

OK the route, The whole race was on tarmac winding its way through the Cwmcarn forest drive route, it started with a brutal 2 mile climb through some stunning forestry, when you reach the top do take some time to have a look around, there are some stunning view to take in.

The next 1/2 mile is relativley flattish giving you enough time to get your breath before the super fast downhill section to the finish, the down hill went in a flash, but be prepared for your feet to feel like they are on fire when you finsh :-) 

Price £5 affiliated £7 un-affiliated like I said its a no frills race at a great price

Registration - Very simple online or on the day where you collect your number, supper easy and super friendly volunteers

Race briefing and safety points - Covered everything we needed to know

Volunteers/Marshals - EXCELLENT!! I always like to have a brief chat and thank these guys, they are what makes a race enjoyable and safe, so a huge pat on the back to these guys - THANK YOU

Toilets - No toilets at the race start but you could go back down the track to the main carpark, not too much of an issue but everyone knows what to expect from a no frills kinda race.

Parking - limited parking due to the nature of where it is, but everyone seamed to safley and quickly find somewhere as directed by the volunteers.

Other runners - A great breed from the local running clubs, all the guys I chatted with on the way around were speaking highly about the event and the route, even on the uphill sections, if thats possible :-) some clubs I can remember - Iswlyn RC (of Course), Caerphilly Runners, Pontypool, liswerry runners, Park Bryn Bach, Pontypridd RC, Aberdare, Newport Harriers, Hengoed Harriers (Newest Club in the area) thats all I can remember, sorry if I have forgotten any clubs.

But the thing that made this event special for me was the fact that it was for charity with 120 runners and £500 approx raised for the Fire Brigade charity, amasing guys well done.

So here comes the question I always ask myself - Will I do this race again? Of course I will  I think its always important to support local like minded clubs that go through allot of effort to organise these events for others.

This was my sons first ever Race, a baptism of fire some might say, he found it challenging & tough but most of all he enjoyed it, he enjoyed the support he got from IRC and the kind words from one of the ladies from IRC at the finish (Sorry I have forgot your name) but thank you

So I would like to say a huge well done and Thank you to the organiser Mike Heare and Iswlyn RC

Anybody in doubt about attending this race in the future, my advice to you is, do not hesitate you will not be disapointed just go for it.