Well, we’re already a sixth of the way through 2024. From all of us at Run Wales towers, we’ve continued to enjoy and revel in supporting and observing the activities of our amazing social running groups, the number of which has now risen above 60 as several new groups have joined us recently. This is the second instalment of our monthly roundup of all the fun that our social runners have been up to!
Read more below to see what they’ve been up to, including outings at events such as the Llanelli Half, Couch to 5k Graduation Runs, Food Bank Runs and inaugural quiz nights!
The month of February can be significant in the minds of some for a few different reasons, not only its irregular number of days. It has Valentines Day, the Lunar New Year and of course Pancake Day.
However this year, we saw a slightly less desirable headline for the month when it was reported that just the Cardiff Area alone had seen a 263% increase on average rainfall. However there was no shortage of action as our social running groups battled the cold and wet!
Over the month, both the North and the South saw the renewal of some popular events. Social Runners attended the Caerphilly Trail 10k, where members of She Runs: Cardiff were helping out as volunteers. Easy Pacers Cwmbran made the short journey in force to take part in the Pontypool Home 10k, joining runners from Pontypool Phoenix on the start line in aid of St David’s Hospice Care.
Moving further West, the town of Llanelli saw the return of it’s popular Half-Marathon. Several groups were in attendance, including members of Yr Hen Blwyf and Llanelli Striders. Llantwit Major Milers also made the journey west, including John D, who was the oldest runner taking part but certainly not the last. Well done John!
The affectionately named Chippy Fields also saw an impressive individual achievement as Tony from Monmouth Rock Up and Run reached the milestone of 250 parkruns! Congratulations are also owed to Lee, one of the leaders at Erddig Muddy Trainers who has successfully completed his guide running workshop this month.
Moving North to Llandudno’s Great Orme, we saw the return of the Nick Beer 10k. Representatives of Social Running Groups including Porth Eirias Runners who also made up part of the race’s contingent of amazing volunteers. They also could be seen on the North Coast volunteering at the Rhyl 10 Miler!
One of the staples of the running community of the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay area, PE Runners also stepped up preparations for the graduation day of their famous beginners running courses, whilst established members enjoyed the scenery on the few clear days of their pier-to-pier group runs.
However, they were not the only group welcoming their recent graduates. She Runs: Cardiff welcomed their Walk to Run graduates as well as hosting their inaugural club quiz night in association with Bigmoose Coffee. There was further celebration to be had at Chargers Running Club, as their amazing group of new starters completed their program, ready to discover the joys of running.
Running Groups were able to give back more to their community as they participated in Food Bank Runs. Mon Milers teamed up with Nant-Y-Pandy parkrun to collect donations and stop off on one of their runs at the Llangefni donation point of the Anglesey Food Bank.
Though not quite in February, the Sunday Striders have been preparing for their “one can food bank run”, which takes place on the 3rd March. They’ve also been enjoying their group longer runs over some impressive distances in the meantime.
Meanwhile, the Wrexham Sole Sisters continued to enjoy their plods around Brymbo, Rural Wrexham and Tanyfron.
Keen to remain ever-present in the South East, those at Undy and Redwick Roadrunners were sure to enjoy their Wednesday Night Club and Sunday Distance Runs as they are taken round the best roads and trails this side of the Severn Bridge by the indefatigable leader Crazy Al the Jogfather.
While we’re thrilled to see so much going on, we’re equally sorry if we’ve missed you or your group! Make sure you let us know and we’ll be sure to feature you in future editions.