The information below will help you follow runners around the Vale Coastal Races course. 

PLEASE NOTE there are several locations where supporters should NOT come to watch / support. These are described below.

The Vale Coastal Races give your supporters plenty of great places to see you as you power down the course! However, there are also a couple of places they should avoid. Details of supporter points are below:

 

The start of the Ultra and a great place to see all the runners as they set off. Car parking is available at the top of the hill once you have driven past the pier. There is very little parking directly outside the pier, so please allow time to walk down the hill to see the start.

 

Please avoid this location. There is a difficult road crossing for runners and there is no parking, it is not suitable for supporters. There is no space for supporters at CP1 and instead please head towards Barry Island. 

 

Home of Gavin and Stacey! This is the next location after the start where you can catch your runners. There is ample parking on the Island that is well marked as you drive onto it. There is plenty to do while you wait - ice cream, arcades and walks along the prom, just make sure you don't get distracted and miss them!

 

This long beachside car park is a good place to see runners as they complete the section through Barry and regain the coast.  There is ample parking and plenty of cafes locally to make it worth the trip. The checkpoint is under the shelters at the end of the lake, and from there runners will make their way up the cliff alongside the toilets by the entrance to the car park. 

 

The 18.5 mile Trail Race start - Porthkerry Park, CF62 3BY 

This section of the course will be busy and has limited parking. We would ask that supporters do not park here but instead park at one of the earlier car parks (at the bottom of the hill and before the railway bridge) and walk to the start to help potential congestion.  The walk is only around 1k and it is very nice.  This will help us to minimise traffic at the start location, something we have been asked to do by the Park Rangers.  

 

Please avoid this location. Access is narrow and parking is limited and should be kept free for emergency vehicles and the local community.

 

10 Mile Race Start - Llantwit Beach, CF61 1RF 

This location has ample parking and a beachside café where you can get ice cream, tea and coffee and even a bucket and spade.  The postcode is for Llantwit but the beach is signposted from the town centre.  Please be careful on the drive to the beach the road is narrow and is often used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders and the runners will be crossing this road by the entrance to the car park during the event.

There is a large car park here but the roads to it are very narrow. If you are not confident driving down tight country lanes we would advise giving this location a miss.  This is the home of the Nash Point Lighthouse a 19th Century listed building with an enormous fog siren that can be heard from 20 miles away.  It’s also one of the highest sections of the coast with amazing views across the channel – but it is also quite exposed so bring a coat. 

 

Just a few miles from the finish, but a worthwhile location to visit with a beautiful beach that is great for kids.   There are car parks at the top of the hill (parking paid at the machine) and also on the beach (cash only parking).  This is a great location to explore with a hidden walled garden, ruins of a mansion and some stunning views. The checkpoint is a short uphill walk from the car park. 

 

This postcode is for the car park located at the edge of the estuary.  The finish line at the village hall is a short walk and is signposted from the far left hand side of the car park, by the sea shore. The village hall has stunning views over the coast and finish line and plenty of seating and a great coffee shop. Please note there is no parking available at the village hall for either runners or supporters.

Please drive with caution on entering / leaving the estates as there will be very tired runners crossing the roads as they head to the finish.