The race is held in the autumn months, traditionally this was on the first weekend in November but this has changed in recent years to late October to accommodate other WFRA races and race series. 2023 sees a November return and its traditional end-of-season vibe.
The current route gives a route of approx 15.2km & 940m height gain/loss but dependant on chosen route.
John Morris introduced the Loggerheads Country Park Fell Race based from the new Loggerheads Country Park vistor centre in 1988. John was Race Organiser until 2003 when the local Mountain Rescue team (then Clwyd now NEWSAR) took over its organisation.
In 1994 the race was renamed the Loggerheads Fell Race and was moved to Cilcain where it has been staged from the Village Hall ever since. The facilities allowed hot soup to be served after the race – a tradition that is continued to this day. In 1996 the race was renamed the Jubilee Tower Race then in 1998 it adopted its current Clwydian Hills name.
The race was cancelled in 2001 due to the Foot & Mouth outbreak, again in 2004 due to lack of race insurance and 2020 due to Covid.
Pete Taylor (RO) organised a new unmarked course in 2005 which has ran for many years with only a slight revision in 2015 to include the sheeptrack traverse from the Moel Arthur (south) car park.
Over the years the race has seen some incredibly talented runners take part including many British champions. The race has proudly hosted WFRA championship series races in 2010 and then again in 2016. The Roll of Honour lists the previous winners.
In 2017 we introduced U16/U18 junior races which unfortunately were short lived due to lack of competitors. Both courses were high grade A races summitting Moel Famau. 2017 was the 30th anniversary of the 1st race.
The local Mountain Rescue team NEWSAR as provided first aid & safety cover since the early days of the race and any proceeds from the race are donated to the team.
NEWSAR – North East Wales Search and Rescue team
NEWSAR is a volunteer Search and Rescue (Mountain Rescue) Organisation operating in North East Wales and mainly covers the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham, Powys and parts of Wirral and Cheshire.
They are a group of volunteers who help the Police by looking for vulnerable people who are missing from home or those in need of rescue. They are available 24 hours / 365 days a year.
They are a Registered Charity (England and Wales Number 512956) and affiliated to the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association and Mountain Rescue, England and Wales.
Please visit their website and show your support.