Thanks to Dave Sinclair, from Moti Albany Road Run Club for this week’s Run Report following their trip to enjoy the pace and pleasures of Aberbeeg parkrun, whilst also supporting the Run Wales Social Running Celebration Relay.
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.
25/47: Celebration Relay Run Report – Aberbeeg parkrun
The weather was foul first thing on Saturday, but thankfully as I left Cardiff to make my way to Aberbeeg parkrun I also left behind the rain, hurrah!
The start line was already buzzing when I got there, and I was enjoying a lovely chat when I suddenly realised it was less than 10 minutes till the off!
I got a warmup in and was back just in time to hear the run director, start his briefing, including of course a round of applause for all the volunteers and a mention for Andrew Caple on his 250th Parkrun – he had promised to bring cake!
Moments later, we were off!
For those that don’t know, Aberbeeg parkrun is an out and back course on a gradual incline until the turnaround point at halfway, giving you a lovely gradual descent to the finish line.
It’s regarded as one of the fastest parkrun courses in the UK.
My training plan had a hard parkrun effort for Saturday 18th of February and I thought “what better place to do it!“ – So I brought loads of our club, Moti Albany Road Run Club, with me!
I had a great run, and due to a rubbish memory, thought I had closely missed a new PB.
It was only a few hours later back home, sat up in bed with a cup of tea and a cupcake that I brought home (thanks Andrew!), and looking at my results that I realised it was a new parkrun PB!
The same was true for club members Julie, Graeme, Sarah, and Amorel, who was also first female finisher. Plenty more strong runs from the team, but more to the point everyone had a fantastic time.
A fast course MAY often be the initial motivation for heading to Aberbeeg parkrun, but the warm welcome, friendly vibes, and wonderful community cafe are what stay in the memory.
It was also an honour for Moti to be handed the Run Wales celebration relay baton by Stacey, from First Strides Parc Bryn Bach Running Group. The baton is continuing its journey around all of the parkruns in Wales, to celebrate the sixth birthday of Run Wales, the community running arm of Welsh Athletics.
Congratulations all at Run Wales for your 6th birthday.
Well done to everyone that ran or walked on Saturday and huge thanks to the organisers and marshals for always putting on such a brilliant event.
Dave Sinclair
Moti Albany Road Run Club
This week 88 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 29 were first timers and 16 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 21 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 14 brilliant volunteers:
Johanna WILES • Hayley EDWARDS • Brian WILES • Diane MORGAN • Zowie SHAW • Nigel HERBERT • Neil HOSKINS • Lisa VOWLES • Wayne SAVAGE • Stephen WILES • Kathryn WILES • Andrew LANE • Tomas WILES • Clair BLUNSDON
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Aberbeeg parkrun Results Page. You will also find a link here to volunteer at the event!
Aberbeeg parkrun started on 3rd November 2018. Since then 2,709 participants have completed 8,162 parkruns covering a total distance of 40,810 km, including 1,374 new Personal Bests. A total of 167 individuals have volunteered 1,959 times.
Who is going to carry the Celebration Rely baton at Pontypool parkrun next week? Take a look at our Relay HQ to see how your social running group can take part!