Run Wales social running group Seriously Mad Runners were joined by members of Vale Runners and BRF Running Club as the Social Running Celebration Relay took to the 2-lap course at Barry Island parkrun this week. Here, they share their experiences with us.
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.
27/47: Celebration Relay Run Report – Barry Island parkrun
The following contribution to this week’s run report is courtesy of Run Wales group, Seriously Mad Runners:
The Run Wales celebratory relay came to Barry Island parkrun Saturday 18th March. The baton is making its way around Wales and is currently in The Vale of Glamorgan.
Local social running clubs were represented at Barry Island by host club Seriously Mad Runners as well as BRF Running Club and Vale Runners.
Seriously Mad Runners formed in 2014 to provide a safe supportive environment for social runners. Led by a dedicated team of Run Leaders and Coaches they aim to provide a safe and friendly place to run…if you’re new to running or a seasoned marathon runner. They are easily spotted at events in their purple kit, inspired by a runner’s popular energy source…a popular brand of chocolate. 😀
It was a foggy start to the parkrun event, which eventually cleared to bring some sunshine just after the start. We welcomed visitors from around the country including North Wales and Cornwall.
Mark Harris from Seriously Mad Runners started the event with the baton before it was passed around to different members to run sections of the course with it, finally crossing the finish line with visually impaired runner Andrew Pemberton.
Thanks to local Run Wales group Vale Runners for this run report contribution:
The Run Wales Celebration Relay came to Barry Island this week, no, not for holiday, but to be passed to the next Run Wales Social Running Group at parkrun.
The baton was skilfully passed at the end of the Seriously Mad Runner’s leg to Jennifer Orton who is a Run Leader for Vale Runners… and this was special for more than one reason.
Although Jen has been a keen runner for some years and has been an enthusiastic and active Run Leader for Vale Runners, this was her very first parkrun event ever.
Jen said was surprised that, although Barry is her normal haunt, the alternate 3 lap parkrun course was very testing indeed. Jen was very proud to represent Vale Runners but also proud that she was able to run the whole 5km route without walking – and anyone who knows Heartbreak Hill x 2 is bad enough, but 3 times. Well done Jen!!
Vale Runners will be taking the baton on a scenic tour of Barry throughout the week, so look out for the selfies, and will end the week by being taken on the 5.5mile run through Sully to Cosmeston Lakes parkrun by Vale’s Run Leader Darran Moran. Once there, Run Leader Hilary James will take the baton around the parkrun route and pass to the next group – without dropping it Hilary!
It was lovely to also have members of a third local Run Wales group, BRF Running Club participating in the celebrations at Barry Island parkrun this week.
Congratulations to everyone who took part on Saturday and huge thanks to all of the parkrun volunteers.
This week 119 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 15 were first timers and 8 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 18 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 25 volunteers:
Mike JAMES • Andrew M SEDGMOND • Ian THORNE • Angharad PRICE • Claire Louise THORNE • Martyn GREY • Cherim NICHOLLS • John DEAKIN • Simon JAMES • Eileen BEAVER • Sharon BRIDGE • Carol MACK • Lowri MACK • David BROWN • Hayley JOSEPH • Suzanne CLIFTON • Jayne HAWKER • David HAWKER • Diane HITCHCOCK • Pauline CROOKE • Liz PALMER • Alvine WESTERLAND • Aimee MOTE • Catrin CHALLIS • Evie BULL
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Barry Island parkrun Results Page. You will also find a link here to volunteer at the event!
Barry Island parkrun started on 2nd May 2015. Since then 8,029 participants have completed 43,555 parkruns covering a total distance of 217,775 km, including 6,786 new Personal Bests. A total of 909 individuals have volunteered 7,266 times.
Seriously Mad Runners had control of the baton throughout the Barry Island parkrun, before handing over to Vale Runners to take the relay onto Cosmeston Lakes parkrun next Saturday. Take a look at our Relay HQ to see how your social running group can take part!