We’re now heading into an exciting last few weeks of the Run Wales Celebration Relay, with just a few more parkrun events still to visit! This week the baton visited Merthyr parkrun in the safe hands of the members of the Merthyr Monday Moovers, and we thank Cath for her report below.
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.
Merthyr parkrun this week had the pleasure of staging the Run Wales Celebration Relay.
Not the best of weather but it still didn’t dampened the mood or the enthusiasm of this week’s special event.
This is my local parkrun and I am also a member of the local running club, so I was quite humbled to have been given the opportunity to carry the baton and to have the support of another club member, Louise.
Not every week we have such a special event and while it’s not the biggest field of runners, the enthusiasm of the volunteers is always appreciated by all who take part, especially those who are not local and come from far and wide. This week we had a lady from Kent who came especially to run in Merthyr.
Most visitors are taken back by the welcome and say it’s much more personal than the larger events but it would be nice to have a few more runners.
The course could be described as undulating (or ‘lumpy’ seems to be the new word) but we are in the Welsh Valleys and we don’t do much flat.
There is water available at the end of the run, which tourists are often amazed at, and free toast if you buy a hot drink in the Leisure Centre!
The Run Director and all the vest wearing volunteers are always supportive and make sure everyone gets round no matter the weather, which is a credit to their dedication.
It definitely was a day to remember and there seemed to be a buzz in the air and more photos being taken when people became aware of the baton relay.
The parkrun follows a course entirely made up of flat tarmac paths, mostly running along the side of the River Taff on the Taff trail. Part of a route that is sure to be familiar to so many runners, walkers and cyclists in the South Wales Area. After setting off, participants complete one large lap, followed by a smaller lap before returning to the same place they started.
As part of Merthyr Running Club, the Monday Movers group aims to provide sessions in a friendly, social and supportive environment for those new to the sport, those who enjoy running with others and those who wish to enjoy running without the pressure of time or distance.
Merthyr Running Club is a social club, run by friendly welcoming runners. We aim to support everyone with their running goals from beginners to improvers.
Merthyr parkrun is our local parkrun and, despite being one of the more challenging routes, has people attend from all over the UK. Together we support the Running community of Merthyr Tydfil.
This week 43 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 17 were first timers and 5 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 8 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 17 volunteers:
Rob THOMSON • Kayleigh CHURCHILL • Karen MEYRICK • John EVANS • Rachel BREEN • Janine HOPSON • Jill DAVIES • Vanessa JONES • Sandra STEVENS • David PARFITT • Keith WILLIAMS • Debra DAVIES • Austin BRILL • Anthony WILLIAMS • Ceri WILDE • Alyssa KEYES • Jaya CASE
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Merthyr parkrun Results Page.
Merthyr parkrun started on 22nd April 2017. Since then 3,157 participants have completed 10,400 parkruns covering a total distance of 52,000 km. A total of 465 individuals have volunteered 4,180 times.
This week’s event was scheduled to be the last stop before Cardiff parkrun. Or so we thought! A lot can change in a year, and this is the case in the parkrun landscape.
In the last few weeks a new parkrun has launched at Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun. In the spirit of Run Wales, where no one gets left behind, the official relay baton will head there next Saturday before the big finale in Cardiff!