The River Taff Is The Easiest Feature On Which...

Cardiff, United Kingdom

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Posted:  Thursday, January 4
Runner:  Peter Kellam

The River Taff is the easiest feature on which to base your runs. With easily accessible foot and cycle paths running parallel to the river on each side and regular bridges there are plenty of options open for runners of all abilities. The entrance gate opposite the Crest Hotel is easy to locate for anyone staying in city centre hotels. If you need somewhere to change shower try the Maindy Leisure Centre off North Road, or the Welsh Institute of Sport off Cathedral Road. Both are within a few hundred yards of Bute Park and the River Taff. Suggestions: (from the Bute Park gate opposite the Crest Hotel) 2.5 miles; start point: Gate opposite Cardiff Crest Hotel. Keeping the river on your left run through Bute Park to the suspension bridge at Blackweir (approximately 1 mile). Cross the bridge and run back down the other bank to your starting point. 4.0 miles: as above, but carry on past Blackweir to Llandaff Bridge a further 0.75 mile upstream. Cross the bridge and join up with the path on the opposite bank. 6.0 miles: Hailey Bridge a short mile up river provides the next turnaround point. Cross the bridge follow the road for around 0.25 mile to Llandaff Rowing Club (a good albeit private car park and popular starting point for local runners). Turn left and downhill immediately after the boat club entrance and pick up the riverside path again. Approximately 10 miles: at Hailey Bridge continue along the river through Hailey Park. You are running on the Taff Trail, a 50 miles cycle path going all the way up to Brecon (has anyone run it in one yet?). Once the park finishes, continue along the cycle path under a railway bridge and follow the road for 0.5 mile or so to the Forest Farm Nature Reserve. Either: take the Taff Trail option along the river; or take the canal side path: both re-connect after a mile or so of running. Run under the motorway bridge. Follow the Taff Trail signs, which will take you into the Village of Tongwynlais. At the Lewis Arms pub turn right and head up the hill towards Castell Coch (the red-roofed fairytale castle on the hillside). The castle is a convenient turnaround point, retrace your steps for a rewarding run. A long Sunday Run from the Boat Club: The long Sunday run. Use the Llandaff Boat Club car park (although private, runners tend to be tolerated as fellow masochists) as your staring point and head out for Castell Coch. The Taff Trail and the network of paths in Fforest Fawr (Big Forest in Welsh) above Castell Coch are a stamping ground second to none for getting a long one in.

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