Run Wales

First Strides Take the Baton to Bryn Bach parkrun

Thankfully, it was all systems go once again this week as Merthyrs Monday Movers passed the Run Wales relay baton over to First Strides at Bryn Bach parkrun.

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. 

22/47: Celebration Relay Run Report – Bryn Bach parkrun


On January 28th the Run Wales relay baton landed in Parc Bryn Bach after a hop, skip and a jump, by-passing Merthyr parkrun, for now, because of the ice last week. 

Merthyr’s Monday Movers (Natalie and Simon) kindly brought the baton over the Heads of the Valleys to pass on to First Strides, the social running leg (boom boom) of Parc Bryn Bach Running Club.

Bryn Bach parkrun is a two and a bit lap of the beautiful lake that was more like a big sheet of ice on Saturday. 

The baton got a warm welcome from Lee, run director and the strong team of high viz hero’s. 

After the baton did it’s two and a bit laps, avoiding the Canadian Geese, passing the park, the cafe, the beautiful Tredegar landscape.

There was, literally, because of the log burner in the centre, a warm welcome in the cafe after where we were all treated to cupcakes that were in honour of a Parc Bryn Bach Running Club member doing his 100th parkrun! Congratulations and thanks!

All in all, a very lovely morning for the baton! 

This week 140 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 19 were first timers and 17 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 16 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 15 fabulous volunteers:

Lee AHERNE • Gareth WILLIAMS • Stephen WILLIAMS • Wayne CANIFF • Stacey KNIGHT • Neil BEYNON • Cyril WILLIAMS • Laura HIRE • Andrew Clive LAWRENCE • Neil ADAMS • Martyn POWELL • Karl COUGHLIN • Alison HOLLAND • Bethan KILBY • Rose KILBY

Bryn Bach parkrun started on 21st July 2012. Since then 8,651 participants have completed 42,743 parkruns covering a total distance of 213,715 km, including 7,503 new Personal Bests. A total of 401 individuals have volunteered 4,881 times.

This week’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Bryn Bach parkrun Results Page. You will also find a link here to volunteer at the event!


Head on over to Pontypridd parkrun to catch the Run Wales Celebration Relay next weekend, as the baton loops around the Lido and dances passed the Disco Shack in the capable hands of more of our wonderful social running groups!

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