When the Run Wales Social Running Celebration Relay started last July, there were 46 parkrun events in Wales. Over 12 months later, we are on the home straight with our penultimate leg in Gogledd Cymru before heading South for the final time. This week saw the Bryn the baton attend the 45th of what are now 48 parkrun events in Wales, this week heading to the pretty town of Dolgellau, surrounded by trails, hills and the fantastic scenery of nearby Eryri!
The Run Wales Social Running Celebration Relay provides all Run Wales registered groups with a tremendous opportunity to showcase their group, sharing information about their activities and encouraging more people to participate in social running outside of their regular weekly parkrun. We are encouraging groups to support their local parkrun by offering to volunteer as well as run, jog or walk at the relay events.
45/48: Celebration Relay Run Report – Dolgellau parkrun
Unlike previous weeks and maybe to some people’s surprise, the sun was shining and out to welcome participants as they arrived at the Marian Mawr park in Dolgellau on Saturday morning.
The end of the previous week had marked the end of the school holidays, so organisers were happy to report a healthy turnout of 132!
A flat course, the route of the Dolgellau parkrun takes participants on an out and back route along the Mawddach Trail and the Afon Wnion. A footpath following the old railway track, it reaches all the way to Barmouth on the coast, although the baton wasn’t going that far this time!
Saturday’s parkrun also saw a few visitors, with representatives of 37 different clubs!
This week at Dolgellau parkrun, the Run Wales baton was in the hands of Trevor Jones, a member of RHEDWYR COED Y BRENIN, a mixed group who enjoy running in those very woods just up the road from Dolgellau town.
While Coed Y Brenin might be well known to many for its biking trails, the area is also home to an array of fantastic trails used by runners and walkers!
Some members of RHEDWYR COED Y BRENIN‘s enthusiastic and supportive volunteer teams are currently undergoing their run leader qualifications. Usually, group runs are led by Mat and follow a variety of routes starting at the visitor centre.
The group meets on Thursday evenings to explore the forest, making sure no-one gets left behind on the way. However be sure to bring a headtorch for those chilly winter months.
This week’s terrain might have been a little different, but was no less an occasion to celebrate the group as well as the parkrun of delightful Dolgellau!
This week 132 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 69 were first timers. Representatives of 37 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 13 hi-viz heroes
David BRADLEY • Sian EVANS • Mike GEARY • Joy GEARY • Gudrun JONES • Glyn ROWLANDS • Eric STOCKFORD • Arthur STOCKFORD • Jane LEEMING • Nick LEEMING • Roy RAWLINSON • Jane IMRIE • Marnie HADAWAY
Dolgellau parkrun started on 13th February 2016. 6,537 participants have completed 15,539 parkruns covering a total distance of 77,695 km. A total of 276 individuals have volunteered 3,123 times.
Be sure to watch out next week as the baton heads to Pont Y Bala parkrun and Rhedeg Siwan Elenid on the last North Wales leg!