Don’t forget that registration for Darth X opens at 8am on Saturday 1st December. Last year, all six hundreds places were snapped up in under three hours, so a hangover lie-in could rob you of the opportunity of a lifetime. Set the alarm, and be ready. Finger poised. The only choice to make: am I a … Continued
So I have run the Marathon De Gwyr (MdG) three times, barely surviving two of them. Sharing my experiences with two MdG stalwarts, JPD and Pete O’kane over a pint last year, we identified four distinct MdG running groups. Which will you be? Group One: The Unprepared. Shuffling at a speed a toddler would be embarrassed … Continued
The Darth Mannion has welcomed over 1,000 runners since the inaugural event seven years ago. In that time, it has doubled in length and snowballed in size. It has taken place in baking sunshine, the freezing cold, gale force winds and horizontal rain. In 2013 it even included an ill-fated 400m swim where some members … Continued
In 2017 I entered my first ever Darth Mannion. I had run for a few years and would regularly see runners from Southgate emerging from sand dunes and rivers around the beautiful coast of the Gower. They looked exhausted and wet but always had a smile on their faces. I would look at them, then shake my head and run off in my … Continued
At the recent DAGM Darth Mannion shared some wisdom. He decreed that there are three types of people in this world. There are the weak, the foolhardy and the brave. He disregarded any exceptions. Despite the nervous protestations of his team and supportive wife, he continued. He said that you can identify which group people belong to … Continued
The sea submersions are by far the most feared element of the Darth Mannion course. And that’s no surprise. Entering cold water fully clothed is something most of us haven’t done since our student days, so it’s always a shock to the system. However, as with any physical challenge, we can make the process a … Continued
Juls has run 3 x Darth Mannions, 2 x Marathon De Gwyrs, multiple marathons and a load of other events. Every Saturday she guides the Darth Coastal Runners around the hills and valleys of South Gower. This morning she ran the new Darth Mannion route for the first time. Once she got her breath back, … Continued
I think that there comes a time when you realise that a moderate bit of exercise might not be enough to stave off low level anxiety around “healthy” living… that time of life when you are counting your five a day and realizing that it is often 3 – and sometimes they are outnumbered by … Continued
Of the millions of Brits that will make a New Year’s Resolution in 2018, a staggering 90% will have failed by the third week of January. Perhaps even more surprisingly, 10% will deny ever making a New Year’s Resolution in the first place! Each year we all make and break New Year’s Resolutions, so we … Continued
The Darth Mannion is a unique physical challenge. Over 13 miles you will climb and descend hills, wade through mud, and battle through sand. Much of this will be done after cold water submersion, in soaking wet trainers, and along windy clifftops. As if that’s not enough, you’ll have to keep your wits about you when passing … Continued