Mercia Fell Runners Club

­­­Marches Group – Long Distance Walkers Association
27th SOUTH SHROPSHIRE CIRCULAR
26 undisclosed miles, plus some 3650ft of ascent, within 10 hours
Saturday February 28th 2009
The SSC is different quite simply because every year, it offers a new route from a different starting point.
In particular, the route remains secret until the morning of the event. This much mused over mystery, coupled with the scenic and testing hill country of the Welsh Marches and the potential rigours of winter conditions, have combined to make the SSC a much-loved classic among upland challenge walks.

EVENT DETAILS
Where do we meet and how do we get there?
This year we return after a gap of five years, to the Community Centre in Newcastle on Clun.
The village is on the B4368 which runs west into Mid-Wales from the A49 at Craven Arms.
The Heart of Wales and Manchester to Cardiff railway lines both run through Craven Arms.
The Community Centre, car park and Millennium Green are located at SO 249 823 some 250m behind The Crown Inn. There is a site for tents, camper vans and caravans next to the Centre and lots of B and B places in the area. We can provide you with a list on request.
But as ever, please study your road atlas and OS map and make certain of the journey before leaving home or B and B and facing the potential hazards of a winter’s morning.
What is the country like for this year’s SSC?
The south-west corner of Shropshire and adjacent parts of Powys are particularly attractive.
This is corrugated and lonely upland stock rearing country, with few white settler homesteads.
As the mixture of Welsh and English place names suggests, it’s also frontier country, where Celt and Saxon fought for years, until Offa, King of Mercia, built his dyke to keep them apart. Generally speaking, things are quieter these days, save perhaps in the Six Nations season.
While the valleys tend to be tangled and enclosed, the hills offer splendid walking over miles of open country, with extensive views across much of Mid-Wales and the Marches.
We enjoyed a fine snowy day on our last visit to Newcastle and while we can’t promise the same again, we will offer you a memorable circuit, with enough variety to satisfy all comers.
What happens once you’re there and out on the route?
The Centre will open at 6.45am for registration, a simple breakfast and issue of the route.
The Route Description will be written for use with OS Landranger sheets 136 and 137.
It will give the location of each checkpoint and suggest a clear and open way between them.
But it will not provide a detailed guide so competence with map and compass is essential.
On the SSC, you are free to follow any line you wish between the CPs over Access Land but you must always follow Public Rights of Way over all enclosed farmland and through forestry.
You will have 10 hours to complete the route of 26 miles, plus some 3,650ft of ascent.
Hot and cold drinks and snacks will be provided at three serviced checkpoints, with other CPs being self-clip passage control points. A cut-off time, to be announced at the Start, will apply at the third serviced CP and those timed-out will be retired and brought back to Newcastle.
There is no formal kit check on the SSC but anyone who is considered and found deficient in respect of any of the items listed below, will be disqualified either before or during the event.
There will be a briefing at 8.20am and a mass start for everyone at 8.30am.
A hot meal, endless tea and a fine certificate will greet your welcome return to Newcastle.
Entry details
The SSC is open to anyone who will be 18 or over on the 28thFebruary 2009.
Entries are strictly limited to 200 and everyone must complete an official Entry Form.
The Entry Fee is £8.00 for LDWA members and £12.00 for all others.
This covers breakfast, refreshments, meal at the Finish, certificate and rescue transport.
There are no entries on the day and we regret that dogs cannot be brought on this event.
CLOTHING and EQUIPMENT - these are the compulsory minimum for your comfort and safety
Walking boots or specialised event/fell running shoes, with sound well-studded soles
Complete body and leg covering (running shorts combined with orienteering tights are OK)
Wind and waterproof outer protection shell, comprising a jacket and over-trousers
Spare inner garment (such as a fleece jacket) Hat and gloves Survival bag
Emergency food and drink Torch Basic First Aid Compass and whistle
OS Landranger sheets 136 “Newtown” and 137 “Church Stretton” at 1:50000.­­