28/03/2026
Nearly a week since The Soul Breaker 10 and I’ve finally found a few minutes to sit down and do a little re cap of the day.
I joked a week before that I had ordered the sun for the race, and the weather gods must have been listening, because we had perfect weather. Not just on the day but during the week leading up to it, making setting up much easier, and the course a lot drier.
The day itself was brilliant, lots of you returning for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time, with one returning (Rich Thomas) for the 7th time having never missed a race. Plenty of new runners showed up too. With Sara from Aberaeron taking the win for the ladies on the 10miler at her 1st attempt and Olly smashing the men’s record on his second attempt. A record which will take some beating. And has earned him a free return next year!
Hazel held on to her ladies title on the 10km, and newcomer Robin came close to the men’s 10km record on his first go, come back next year and I’m sure you’ll be able to lower it down.
A race like this isn’t just about the run, it’s about the people it brings together and the trail family it forges when you get together.
The enthusiasm that you bring is a huge motivation to get out and open the trails when winter storms often bring down trees, and make the route impassable, knowing you guys will genuinely appreciate the day and speak about it long after the event finished is huge to me.
SO THANK YOU’s.
Firstly, thank you to all the Marshals, they give up their time to come and help support, guide and keep you all safe, and always do so with a sense of humour and lots of energy. Without them, the route would be far less appealing and a lot quieter!! So thank you for being the backbone of the event. Their roles vary from checking you guys in at the start of the day, making sure you all park tidily in the car park, directing you at road crossings and feeding you at the checkpoints.
Next, the COOKS. Everyone’s favourite people. They give up days not just hours to make sure you are all fed and watered, their food is far more famous than the event itself in some circles I’m sure, and as is always mentioned by some of the veteran runner, a big reason for the returning sign ups!! Also a special mention to Mair, one of our returning runners. who also brought cakes with her to share with you all this year too. Another example of people not just showing up and being a number, they are part of the family and share the load.
Then we have the MEDAL AND TROPHIES, Rose and Alexander have been making our medals for quite a few years now, and they never fail to deliver. There’s a lot of messages that go on back and forth. But nothing is ever too much effort. The product is always top notch, and the service matches. There’s talks of some new kit being delivered to theirs, which should allow some more variations to be available by next year. Keep your eyes on what’s to come.
Now the next thank you is just from me to this person, (as none of you got to sample the goods, but if you want some I’ve frozen a load so feel free to let me know and I’ll get them out) Susan Cook, she made 70 peanut brownies and they are delicious, I’ve managed to consume about 20 so far!! They won’t go to waste, however I may be slightly larger the next time you all see me!!
Finally there’s YOU GUYS.
Without you, the runners, The Soul Breaker 10 wouldn’t exist. I created it because I thought some people might enjoy some of the routes I run myself. I could never imagined the following it would create. My little event often gets mentioned amongst a list of events and event organisers I hold in very high regard. And that is very humbling. You all turn up and give it your all, you bring friends, (sometimes under false pretences!) and you treat the race, the area and the locals with the greatest of respect. For that I am eternally grateful and proud to be a part of the trail running community.
Last year knowing I was likely not going to be able to put on my charity Christmas run (due to a knee op), I decided to put on a new event in November, as a bit of a trial. By all accounts it went pretty well. So I think I may put it on again this year. It will be around early November. So a potentially colder event.
What is it? The Soul Breaker 1 recurring. 1 loop repeated. 1st hour no one goes out, after that each loop much be completed within 12 minutes or be eliminated. If everyone finishes in time, the last one across the line is eliminated anyway. So each lap is a race within a race. Fancy it? Keep your eyes on here. Dates and prices will be released closer to the time.
Until then. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING AWESOME. Look forward to seeing you all the next one.
Rich
