Pembroke Coast National Park
PENUM HALF is a 15-mile point-to-point course following Llwybr Arfordir Cymru, the Wales Coast Path, starting at Stackpole Quay near Pembroke and ending in Tenby, a historic walled seaside town famous for its pastel-coloured houses, medieval fortifications, and four sandy beaches.
Stackpole Quay is a historic harbour nestled amongst dramatic cliffs, from which the route heads past beautiful, deserted bays and beaches towards Manorbier, where a 12th Century Norman castle sits right above a gorgeous sandy beach and dramatic red sandstone cliffs. We will skirt around a military range, giving EDDUM-like vibes, safe in the knowledge that we are lovers not fighters.
Once we pass Lydstep Point we descend to another fantastic beach, Lydstep Haven. One more stretch of golden sand, Tenby South Beach and we have reached our destination.
Although PENUM 30 has the least elevation of any of this season’s ultramarathons, we’ve managed to pack two-thirds of this into the PENUM HALF, a very worthwhile 2,150 feet. The undulating terrain is mixed, including path, trail, grass, sand and the odd smattering of tarmac, so appropriate footwear is required.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Opened in 1970, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the first official national trail in Wales.
- In the last few miles of the route you can see Caldey Island which is home to a community of Cistercian monks who have lived there in quiet seclusion for decades.
- Robert Recorde, the inventor of the equals sign, lived in Tenby.
- Tenby’s Welsh name is Dinbych-y-Pysgod or Little Fortress of Fishes, reflecting a long history as a fishing port.
- The fastest known time for running all 870 miles of the Wales Coast Path was once held by Rhys Jenkins, founder of Pegasus Ultra Running. He completed the entire route in 20 days 10 hours, a record that stood for three years.Opened in 1970, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the first official national trail in Wales.
