After running for over a year after its start in July 2022, Social Running Celebration Relay was meant to conclude with its grand finale in Cardiff. However, this week the establishment of a new parkrun in West Wales meant that the baton had to make a surprising, but nonetheless exciting detour to meet the new Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun, situated just outside Cardigan on Pembrokeshire’s northern border with Ceredigion. At the time of visiting, the baton was able to experience just the 5th event of this newly-established parkrun that launched on the 22nd of July this year.
The 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.
48/49: Celebration Relay Run Report – Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun
There are a multitude of reasons as to why it was so wonderful to hear the news of one of Wales’ newest parkrun events getting of the ground. Yet the launch of Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun meant a little bit of schedule adjustment was necessary to ensure that this new event didn’t miss out!
Despite the turbulent weather conditions on Friday as Storm Betty blew into the area, the parkrun participants were greeted by warm and dry conditions and a team of friendly volunteers when they arrived on Saturday morning.
Whilst there appear to be no social running groups currently operating in the area local, the parkrun volunteer team were hugely supportive of the Celebration Relay and ensured that the baton was available to everyone who joined them this week.
It was fantastic to see the baton in the hands of many different people on the day, all with smiles on their faces!
Some member of the core team of parkrun volunteers at Teifi Marshes run with local club, Cardigan RC. The club host a social run on Friday evenings, and this week, Run Leader (and parkrun Co-ED) Fraser took the baton out with the group for a breezy 10k tour around Aberporth, which looked like great fun.
Safely delivered to parkrun on Saturday morning, the baton was passed between participants along the picturesque route. The 5k parkrun course is run on permanent paths through the nature reserve.
The undulating two-lap course takes you to the edge of the town of Cardigan before an uphill finish right outside the café, which is convenient for post-parkrun refreshments!
In addition to parkrun, the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is also home to the Welsh Wildlife Centre as well as various species of water buffalo and a variety of bird species who inhabit the 107 acres of wetland habitat. It could definitely make for an interesting post-run visit and an ideal place for some post-run refreshment.
Do get in touch if you’re local to the area and are looking to get into running. Also check out the Group Finder to see all groups registered with Run Wales. Alternatively,If you’re interested in starting your own social running group anywhere in Wales, find out more and get in touch.
This week 126 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 82 were first timers. Representatives of 36 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 18 volunteers and hi-viz heroes
Vanessa REDMOND • Rhys HARRIES • Stuart PENNY • Cai BATCHELOR • Sophie GASSON • Benedict O’LEARY • Stephen HILL • Jez BROUGHTON • Fraser MCMILLAN • Shan JAMES • Barry DAVIES • Rachel MATTHEWS • Ty BURTON • Ioan DAVIES • Laura WINTER • Chloe MARTIN • Peter COLLINS • Glen DAVIES
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun Results Page.
Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun started on 22nd July 2023. Since then 418 participants have completed 548 parkruns covering a total distance of 2,740 km, including 64 new Personal Bests. A total of 40 individuals have volunteered 90 times.
On Saturday 26th August we will be celebrating the final relay event as official baton completes its journey at Cardiff parkrun.
We invite all our social running groups to attend their local parkrun at the same time in a truly national celebration of social running.
See you there!