Our fourth annual Viaduct Run – Ras Draphont is almost here! This year, we’re hosting a Fun Run, 5k and a NEW 5 Mile Run.
Timings
- Fun Runners – registration from 9-10am at Swffryd Community Centre
- 5k & 5 Mile Runners – registration from 8:30-9:50am at Hafodyrynys RFC
- Volunteers – 8:30am start at Hafodyrynys RFC
Find out more by clicking the arrows below:
Road Closures
For the safety of our runners, road closures will be in place on Sunday 19th July in the Swffryd area.
Access onto Sofrydd Road (B4471) will be severely restricted. This road will be closed from Farm Road up to an area just before Horseshoe Bend from around 9:50am, until around 11am.
The section between Farm Road and Bontpren will also be closed from around 9:50am, but should reopen by around 10:15am.
Traffic on Rectory Road will be CONTROLLED with stop-go and right turn only onto the B4471. Please listen to the police officers and marshals, and help maintain a safe route for our runners.
Residents in Swffryd, Llanhilleth and Hafodyrynys needing to travel between 9:30am-11:00am on Sunday are encouraged to plan accordingly, such as moving vehicles outside of the affected areas prior to 9:30am.
Fun Run
- Sunday 19th July 2026
- Registration takes place at Swffryd Community Centre from 9am – there is no pre-registration available for this run.
- The race will start at approximately 10:15, to allow time to cheer the 5 mile and 5k runners on as they pass.
- The run is approx. 1km and takes place on Sofrydd Road, between Walters Avenue and Farm Road.
- This race is FREE and open to everyone!
- All runners receive a medal, and our top 2 boys and top 2 girls get a special prize.
- Join us for our awards ceremony in Swffryd Community Centre afterwards for a medal, refreshments and free children’s entertainment including face painting, soft play and a bouncy castle!
5 Mile Run
- Sunday 19th July 2026
- Registration takes place at Hafodyrynys RFC from 8:30am, for a 10am race start
- Parking is available at Hafodyrynys RFC
- Runners must be aged 15+ on the day
- This is a multi-terrain race with on and off road sections
- All proceeds are donated to Sofrydd Primary School
- Join us for our awards ceremony in Swffryd Community Centre afterwards for a medal, refreshments and free children’s entertainment!
- Pre-registration is not compulsory but will speed up registration on the day. Please bring cash if registering on the day!
- View route info below
5k Run
- Sunday 19th July 2026
- Registration takes place at Hafodyrynys RFC from 8:30am, for a 10am race start.
- Parking is available at Hafodyrynys RFC
- Runners must be aged 11+ on the day.
- This is a multi-terrain race with on and off road sections
- All proceeds are donated to Sofrydd Primary School
- Join us for our awards ceremony in Swffryd Community Centre afterwards for a medal, refreshments and free children’s entertainment!
- Pre-registration is not compulsory but will speed up registration on the day. Please bring cash if registering on the day!
- View route info below
Sponsors & Supporters
We’d like to say a huge thank you to this year’s event sponsors!
- Positif Care – South Wales-based residential care for children. They believe in providing young people with a home, not just another placement
- Andrew Boulton Properties – property management company based in Abertillery
- K & R Print & Graphics – a family firm based in Cwmcarn, with over 50 years of experience in the printing industry. They supply a wide range of printed products
We’d also like to thank the following for their help and support with this year’s run:
- Islwyn Running Club
- ASDA Brynmawr Community Champions
- Swffryd Community Centre
- Hafodyrynys RFC
- Welsh Athletics
- Mark Escott
- Tillery Action For You (TAFY)
- Mike Gwynne
- Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
- Caerphilly County Borough Council
- Sofrydd Primary School
- Cwtch Media
Route Information
5 Mile Run
The 5 mile (approx) route begins outside Hafodyrynys RFC at 10am
The route proceeds up Pontbren Road, Bontpren, turning left down Swffryd-Ganol Lane to lead onto the B4471 (Sofrydd Road)
The route continues along the B4471 towards Llanhilleth, to a turning point (what3words /// bullion.sway.fired) just before the houses on Horseshoe Bend (High Street)
The route proceeds back down the B4471 onto Andrews Terrace (known locally as ‘Royal Oak’), continuing onto the lower footpath at the end of the road
There is a turning point at the end of this footpath, then the run continues uphill onto the cycle/footpath above
The run proceeds uphill on the cycle/footpath which leads to Lewis Street – the route turns right prior to reaching the road, into an off-road section
The route meets the ‘Green Lane’, an uphill road off of Hafod-yr-ynys Road which leads onto Rectory Road, to the finish line!
5k Run
The 5k (approx) route begins outside Hafodyrynys RFC at 10am.
The route proceeds up Pontbren Road, Bontpren, turning left down Swffryd-Ganol Lane to lead onto the B4471 (Sofrydd Road)
The route continues along Sofrydd Road, taking a sharp left onto Andrews Terrace (known locally as ‘Royal Oak’).
The run proceeds uphill on the cycle/footpath which leads to Lewis Street – the route turns right prior to reaching the road, into an off-road section.
The route meets the ‘Green Lane’, an uphill road off of Hafod-yr-ynys Road which leads onto Rectory Road, to the finish line!
Important Info
Stay Hydrated!
We will have a mid-route water station with bottles for all runners, and another at the finish line.
Eat Well
Make sure you have enough energy to run at your best – we’ll be handing out bananas!
We’ll also have an ice-cream van stopping by to refuel you after the run (they accept cash and card payments).
Plan Ahead
Check the forecast and plan ahead – think light, bright clothing, a hat and suncream!
Residents – please plan ahead of the road closures. We’ll have a rolling road closures to minimise downtime and the impact on residents as much as possible.
Pick Your Footwear
This is a hilly, multi-terrain run with road elements. Please wear appropriate running shoes.
Fun Runners are encouraged to wear comfy trainers or other sensible shoes. No open-toed footwear please!
Fees
Our Fun Run and entertainment at the Awards Ceremony is all free. We have a small fee for the 5k and 5 mile runs:
- 5k: £7.50
- 5 mile: £10 for Welsh Athletics Members, £12 for non-members (plus a 4% booking fee from EntryCentral)
All profits from this event are donated to Sofrydd Primary School for extra-curricular activities.
Getting Here
Parking for this event is located at Hafodyrynys RFC, NP11 5BE. Parking is free and the car park will be stewarded – please be patient and listen to the marshals.
The races begin just outside the RFC and finish on Rectory Road, Swffryd. It is a short walk to Swffryd Community Centre, NP11 5DU (approx 8 mins) for awards and refreshments, and a short walk back to the car park (approx 10 mins).
The Fun Run begins and finishes at Swffryd Community Centre. Please be considerate of local residents if parking on adjoining roads.
Bus routes will be disrupted between approximately 9:45-11am.
